FC Platinum keep title hopes alive

From Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum ……………………………………………….. (2) 3
Black Mambas …………………………………………….. (0) 1
FC Platinum kept their faint title hopes alive when they dismissed relegation-threatened Black Mambas in a Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Mandava Stadium yesterday. Nelson Maziwisa, who had failed to find his scoring form, finally did so in the eighth minute before Donald Ngoma weighed in with a double strike in the 11th and 92nd minute.

It was a good display by the miners on the field of play but this was dented by their executive who denied entry to the league sponsors Castle Lager staff that had banners and a back drop used for post-match interviews.

As if it was not enough, this journalist was once again denied entry as the marshals surprisingly allowed other people to get into the stadium with their cars and a number of them did not have privilege cards from the PSL.

It had to take the intervention of Chido Chizondo, the FC Platinum spokesperson, to facilitate their entry although she had also initially been snubbed by her own staff.

With chaos reigning supreme outside the pitch, the FC Platinum players were in a class of their own in a one-sided encounter as Mambas were playing as if they were content with relegation with Evans Gwekwerere failing to justify his inclusion in the starting line up. He was later substituted for remonstrating with the referee.

The win by FC Platinum saw them occupying the fourth position on the log with 48 points with six points still to play for.
Mambas remained rooted on the 12th position with 35 points, one ahead of Black Rhinos who posted a shocking and very rare win by beating Caps United 3-2 at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

Teams
FC Platinum: F. Tizayi, T. Mateyaunga, N. Maziwisa, E. Moyo, R. Mudhuviwa, D. Ngoma, A. Katebe, S. Shoko, K. Moyo, C. Sibanda, A. Sadiki (M. Mudehwe 65th minute), M. Katsvairo (T. Kamusoko 65th minute).
Black Mambas: T. Mateyaunga, K. Kapikunyu, T. Chinungo, B. Nyahunzvi, L. Kaisa, C. Hungwe, I. Nyoni, L. Chibwiro, N. Alifandika, T. Rathokoane (G. Mangani 76th minute), E. Gwekwerere (C. Kasimero 60th minute).