adminFrom Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)2
Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)2
COACH Timothy Masachi assured residents of Mutare another dance with the Premiership when his Buffaloes held FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Mandava yesterday.
A defeat could have ended the soldiers dreams of playing in the top-flight but a penalty converted by Stephen Sibanda in the 52nd minute and a strike by Jacob Muzokomba were enough to help the Mutare outfit to survive.
The platinum miners had gone into the lead through Ali Sadiki in the 48th minute and a penalty converted by Daniel Veremu in the 65th minute.
“I am happy that I have accomplished my mission. I wanted to survive and today I did that and its good news for the community in Mutare.I was working without an assistant coach and I had a lot of workload,” said Masachi.
Sadiki who has been missing in action for three months because of injury put Platinum ahead when he drove home a scorcher past a badly exposed Hopeful Bere in the 48th minute following a pass from Thabani Kamusoko.
After the goal it looked like Buffaloes were going to get their heaviest defeat but with Wonder Sithole showing some flashes of brilliance the vistiors found their way back into the game.
Zvishavane based referee Rugare Kusosa awarded the visitors a penalty in the 51st minute following a challenge by Veremu on Steven Sibanda.
The decision did not go down well with FC Platinum fans and even some of the players which later resulted in goalkeeper Francis Tizayi being shown the yellow card. Sibanda converted when he sent Tizayi the wrong way.
Platinum who were playing a passing game were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute when their goal poacher Nelson Maziwisa was brought down in the box by Phillip Chandisaita as he went for the kill and Veremu converted.
Buffaloes then equalised in the 67th minute when Roy Mwenga won possession in the platinum half and sent the ball to the much travelled Muzokomba who beat a badly exposed Tizayi.
Platinum could have won the match had it not been for inept shooting from the miners’ fowards. Allan Gahadzikwa who seems to have found a new lease of life under coach Lloyd Mutasa was the first to miss.
Online Reporter