FC Platinum edge Whawha

Patrick Chitumba in GWERU

Whawha…………………(0) (1)

FC Platinum……………..(2) (2)

TWO first half goals from Juan Mutudza and Walter Musona were all FC Platinum needed to account for the scalp of struggling Gweru based side Whawha in a Premier Soccer League match at Ascot stadium yesterday.

Raymond Horonga scored a wonder goal from the centre circle to give the relagation threatened Whawha their consolation goal as they battled hard to salvage a point in the second half. But the goal was not enough to force a share of the spoils as FC Platinum held on to their lead. FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza heaved a sigh of relief following the narrow win.

“It was all about defending our lead. They came hard in the second half but we managed to hold on. They scored a good goal and it could easily be a goal of the season. They were just unlucky. We did well in terms of game management which shows that we are in the right direction in terms of managing the situation,” Mapeza said.

His counterpart Luke Petros was in low spirit as he battled to come to terms with how his men wasted chance after chance.

“We missed chances in the second half. Had we scored those ones, I think we could have been counting a point. I’m afraid that we are slowly losing the mathematical chances because of losing games week in and out. We can only hope that other teams in the same situation with us also lose,” Petros said.

Nevertheless FC Platinum were in control of proceedings from the onset with Lawrence Mhlanga getting their first chance after three minutes. The gangly defender hit the upright with a header from a corner-kick delivered by  Musona.  Mutudza opened the scores six minutes later after heading home a delightful cross from Musona. 

Moments later Musona doubled scores this time with a powerful free kick from outside the box. They remained on top of the situation until the break, with WhaWha turning the tide on resumption. 

They deservedly pulled one back courtesy of Raymond Horonga who beat goalie Wallace Magalane with a powerful strike from the centre circle.

Whawha: T Chiku, T Magwaza, R Useni, T Daka, J Gadzani, S Ganje, R Horonga, D Chivhunduko (O Zinyama 41) , E Brown (B Phiri 74), E Mawanda, J Barake

FC Platinum: W Magalane, G Mbweti, G Bello, L Mhlanga, K Mangiza, B Banda, B Moyo, J Mutudza (R Pavari 58), W Musona, P Mutimbanyoka (N Chinyerere 82’), T Ngwenya (O Bhebhe 90)