Chronicle Editor
Tadious Manyepo in Zvishavane
FC Platinum 1-0 Herentals 0
Zvishavane miners, FC Platinum did themselves a huge favour as they sweated to a narrow victory that took them to within three points of a fourth straight Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
Man-of-the-moment Walter Musona grabbed the all-important goal for the home side four minutes after the restart. But, instead of erupting in joy as his players and fans did at Mandava yesterday, coach Norman Mapeza had to be restrained by his colleagues as he charged towards a Herentals supporter. There was pandemonium as the former Warriors skipper shouted at the fan before being blocked by his team’s bouncers.
He was still fuming as he asked his Herentals counterpart Kumbirai Mutuwekuziva to ensure the Students’ followers respect him. The soft-spoken Mutuwekuziva had to apologise on behalf of the fan. However, for a coach of Mapeza’s standing to attempt to shrug his team’s own security just to mete out justice on a supposed rival fan was one of the lowest points in his professional career. He even appeared to shy away from the print media interview as he went to salute a handful of FC Platinum supporters first before returning.
“What I wanted was to go for results, nothing much,” he said.
Indeed FC Platinum went for the results and they got just that. Musona took advantage of some lapse on the part of the usually reliable Herentals defence to easily tap home from close range. It was Musona’s 11th goal of the season.
The scrappy win was massive for the Zvishavane team who could win the title with three games or less to spare.
Their main rivals Chicken Inn, whom they lead with 13 points, have a derby date against Highlanders at Barbourfields this afternoon. Unless they will crumble spectacularly coupled with gigantic results by their pursuers Chicken Inn and third-placed Dynamos, it’s now a matter of when not if they will secure the championship for the fourth time in a row.
But the miners didn’t have it their own way as admitted by Mapeza in this game. Their guests bested them in several situations throughout the match. Herentals should have scored inside the opening moments had winger Tafadzwa Jim opted to square instead of going for the near post after out-sprinting the home team’s rearguard.
At the opposite end, Musona’s powerful free kick was fisted over by the impressive Herentals goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi. The latter also denied the same when diving to his left to scoop a grass mower.
FC Platinum came back from the breather with some urgency and they ensured everything remained in their control with Musona’s goal. Herentals tried to find themselves, dictating proceedings but Blessing Majarira and Jim could not find a way through from ideal positions.
Instead, FC Platinum came closer with Musona again taking a stinging free kick that found Chikosi in no mood to be breached from a set piece. Mutuwekuziva said his team lost it on goal-scoring.
“Our biggest let down was in the final third. We failed to score in situations we would normally have scored. It was a good match, I think we controlled some situations but we then failed to score. Congratulations to FC Platinum but I thought we had a very good chance.” The two teams meet again at the same venue on Saturday in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals.
Teams
FC
Platinum: Wallace Magalane, Blessing Moyo, Gift Bello, Lawrence Mhlanga, Kelvin Mangiza, Rainsome Pavari, Juan Mutudza (Gift Mbweti 77min), Brian Banda, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Walter Musona, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya (William Stima 90min)
Herentals: Takudzwa Chikosi, Wilmore Chimbetu, Zibusiso Ruguchu, Brighton Majarira, Tinotenda Benza, Godfrey Mukambi, Tafadzwa Jim (Collin Mujuru 70min), Prince Chama (Davison Marowa 70min), William Kapumha (Clemence Gobvu 83min) Blessing Majarira (Edgar Mhungu 83min), Innocent Benza (John Zhuwawo 46m)
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter