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Marere found the equaliser in the 63rd minute when he latched onto a long clearance from another former Dynamos player Thabani Kamusoko. He shrugged off the challenge by Andrew Chuma and fired a shot from his right boot that flew past goalkeeper Alexander Useni, hitting the roof of the net.
As if it was pay back time he raced to the VIP stand that houses the FC Platinum executive and saluted them.
In the same dramatic fashion, Marere was to be the architect of the third goal.
Playing wide on the right he raced to a long clearance and controlled the ball before it went out of touch with Owen Motsi in hot pursuit. He got the better of Motsi and sent an inch perfect pass to Ali Sadiki who then fed Katsvairo and the former Gunners hitman saw his effort flying past Useni in the 85th minute. Goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube raced to congratulate Marere after the goal.
After the goal Tendai Chikuni wanted to substitute the goalscorer Katsvairo but the veteran player opted to come out and again saluted the fans and management.
“I opted to come out because I felt I had done my part and I wanted to give other players a chance.
It was a long time since I last played a full game. I was happy to score and I dedicate the goal to president Nathan Shoko, his executive and the fans that had been rallying behind me during the match and during the time that I was not playing,” said the 28-year-old. Marere could however have scored a brace had he not missed the target by inches in the 67th minute with the Hardbody goalminder a well beaten man. Katsvairo who had a good second half earlier on beat Useni in the 73rd minute when he connected a cross from leftback, Qadr Amin.
The scoreline does little justice to an exciting second half that saw Ali Sadiki being denied twice in the 65th and 67th minutes by the brilliance of Useni.
The Watosvorwa goalkeeper first tipped over the bar Sadiki’s scorching shot from his favoured left boot for a corner which the hosts failed to utilise.
Another scorcher was again blocked for a corner as he frustrated the menacing Sadiki.
Charles Sibanda who had a rather quiet afternoon by his standards could not believe his eyes when headed wide a Sadiki free kick in the 35th minute with the goalkeeper at his mercy.
The visitors who should blame themselves for the defeat had found the opener in the 6th minute.
Alick Marime’s free kick from about 24m from the goal-line hit the left upright with Dube well beaten.
The rebound was taken by Cornelius Simango who controlled the ball before laying it to former Shabanie hitman Michael Mageja who made no mistake from close range.
Tavaka Gumbo conceded defeat after the match. “I am going to fight hard in the next game although it will be away in the capital. We made silly blunders in defence and wasted chances,” said the former Shu-Shine midfielder.
Chikuni was a happy man after the victory.
“We were not seen in the first five minutes and conceded a stupid goal as we were giving them enough space. I just instructed the guys to shoot as I had pushed Benjamin wide on the right with Allan on the left. I am looking forward to positive results and I would like to thank Rahman (Gumbo) who laid a foundation for this team. I am just urging everyone to remain united and results will come,” said Chikuni.
Teams:
FC Platinum: T Dube, D Veremu, Q Amin, S Shoko, A Sadiki,T Kamusoko,N Togara,C Sibanda, M Katsvairo, B Marere (D Ngoma 90th ), A Gahadzikwa
Hardbody: A Useni, J Mangiza, C Simango (N Ncube 10th), B Juru, A Chuma, M Nyakabangwe (C Maheya 76th), M Mageja, H Gravel, R Jongwe( O Motsi 76th), D Mwanza, A Marime
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter