admin
Mukudzei Chingwere in Zvishavane
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 1
Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
THE champions came into this duel knowing that a victory against the miners would give them an outside chance of retaining their crown if sequence of other results among the leading pack go their way.
The trio of Dynamos, Ngezi Platinum and Chicken Inn were put to the sword by the champions who lately are looking like a team unwilling to relinquish their title.
Makepekepe quickly settled into the match putting their opponents under pressure from the onset with wave after wave of attacks. The visitors’ imperious ball possession was dealt a huge blow and counted for nothing when the miners fired the first as well as important contribution of the match when Kelvin Moyo slotted home the opener after profiteering from an Ali Sadiki cross which flashed across the face of goal.
FC Platinum new found star Wallace Magalane kept the miners in the game earning his stripes with brilliant saves late in the opening stanza, he first denied John Zhuwawo tipping his effort over the cross bar, Edmore Sibanda was next just before half time when Magalane safely collected a fierce free kick fired in by his opposite number.
Moyo thought he had scored his second but his effort was waved away for offside after he had fired a header past Sibanda. Mapeza looked content with the lead and called on defensive link man Gerald Takwara 20 minutes before full-time to protect their lead which almost paid off with the former bossing the midfield.
But the miners conceded a free kick at a dangerous position when Takwara went hard on Crispen Machisi in the 90th minute and the visitors were awarded a free kick which was flighted by Zvirekwi, for Goriyati to rise highest heading past an exposed Magalane. Mapeza complained at the final whistle that the match official gave his charges a raw deal.
“Is that a foul?” he questioned the match official decision that gave the visitors a chance to level.
“Some things you see it yourselves and you just want me to confirm them. Such a mistake cost us three points, the guys worked very hard and I give credit to the guys, they played very well,” he continued.
“It is still game on, we still have a chance and we will continue working hard. There are still a lot of games to go and we just have to continue working hard,” he said responding to a question that Chitembwe thinks they are favourites for the title.
Caps assistant coach Mark Mathe commended his charges for a job well-done at the final whistle, adding that their packed fixture schedule worked against them in the second half.
“Good show of character by the boys, they did very well to continue pressing towards the end of the game. FC Platinum played better in the second half but you have to agree that games have been coming thick and fast for us, fatigue was catching up but I am proud of the boys they soldiered on until the end.
“As Caps we are not happy with our position at the moment and we will continue working hard, we want to improve our position.
Other results
Ngezi Platinum stars 0, Tsholotsho 0; Black Rhinos 1, How Mine 2.
derick.khumalo