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Blue Rangers looked the better team, passing the ball around the field and probing for an opening that proved elusive until the 25th minute when Mario Mabacho found the target.
Daniel Vheremu headed an equaliser in the 64th minute for the Zvishavane outfit after flicking an Ali Sadiki free-kick from outside penalty box. The game, however, was marred by poor officiating with referee Nkanyiso Zulu making some questionable decisions.
Rangers’ Ephraim Gwiliza was shown a red card, after the match, for confronting the referee.
The hosts went ahead when Norest Mukwezaramba threaded a pass to the overlapping Ephraim Gwiliza and he picked out Mabacho who did well to beat Platinum goalkeeper Francis Tizai.
Katsvairo scored the winner with one minute remaining after getting to the end of an Ali Sadiki rebound after Rangers’ ‘keeper Moses Nelson failed to deal with the shot.
Rangers’ coach, Misheck Chidzambwa, blamed his team’s loss on missed chances.
“The game was okay but we got relaxed and missed a lot of chances. This team (FC Platinum) is like a national team and if you look at us we have an average side.”
Platinum coach, Rahman Gumbo, was happy with the three points.
“It was a tight game and Rangers are a stubborn side, they gave us a good run,” said Gumbo.
Teams:
Blue Rangers: M. Nelson, P. Marazange, F. Mukaira, E. Kopeni, P. Nyikadzino (P. Muparaganda 73rd min), M. Mabacho, N. Chazika, N. Mukwezaramba, E. Gwiliza, T. Munetsi (V. Nzombe 81st min), T. Chiragwi.
FC Platinum: F. Tizai, D. Vheremu, Q. Amini, F. Mlambo, L. Matawu (D. Ngoma 45th min), A. Sadiki, T. Kamusoko, Z. Ngodzo, C. Sibanda (J. Ngodzo 73rd min), T. Ndlovu (M. Katsvairo 45th min), A. Gahadzikwa.
Online Reporter