adminFrom Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum… (1)2
Monomotapa… ..0
FC Platinum kept their Casle Lager Premiership soccer title aspirations within a shouting distance when they posted yet another victory over visiting Monomotapa at Mandava yesterday.The platinum miners got their all important goals from former Super Dynamos and Hwange midfielder Winston Mhango in the 14th minute and Michelle Katsvairo in the 49th minute. Despite the win FC Platinum risk to be fined by the PSL as some of their players, namely Raphael Muduviwa, Welcome Ndiweni and Donald Ngoma, were putting on jerseys that did not have the logo of the official sponsor.
FC Platinum, who seemed to be in control of the midfield, won possession through Charles Sibanda on the left in the 14th minute. The dreadlocked striker then spotted the vastly improved Raphael Mudhuviwa who powered a shot towards goal but his goal was blocked into the path of Mhango who was lurking outside the box. He responded with a stinger that beat Monoz goalkeeper Jonathan Zvaita all systems out.
Ronald Chitiyo, who won the hearts of many neutrals with his dribbling skills, could have equalised for the visitors in the 21st minute from a Nelson Melson pass but with only Petros Mhari to beat he shot wide.
Monoz kept on exerting pressure on the platinum miners and they sent another chance begging in the 37th minute.
Chitiyo, who was in the thick of things in midfield, sent Agrippa Murimba through but he directed his effort to the terraces with Mhari already a beaten man.
The Harare team, who are in the relegation zone, were then punished for the misses in the 49th minute.
Sibanda, who had a good afternoon, won the ball on the right and sent a long pass to Katsvairo who was on the left. Katsvairo then raced towards the Monoz goal with Praise Tonha in hot pursuit before he unleashed a powerful shot that Zvaita only managed to collect from the back of the nets.
Minutes later, Chitiyo made his way past the platinum captain Daniel Veremu and Zambian import Aaron Katebe and as he was about to drive the ball home, he was pulled down inside the box but referee Thabani Bamala ignored the incident.
Teams
FC Platinum: P. Mhari, D Veremu, E Moyo, R Muduviwa,T Kamusoko,A Katebe,W Mhango(J Ngodzo 61st ),W Ndiweni,N Maziwisa(M Katsvairo 38th ),D Ngoma(M Mudehwe 48th ),C Sibanda,
Monomotapa: J Zvaita,A Murimba,(A Tavariswa 46th )M Mungombe,C Rukwanhi,I Wadi(G Murwira 75th ),Z Biseki,P Tonha,L Sithole,H Mugoniwa,N Melson,R Chitiyo
Online Reporter