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Manica Diamods ……(0) 1
FC Platinum …………..(0) 0
HARARE based referee Patrick Kalota must have been the most disappointed man after Manica Diamonds, the team he frustrated all afternoon, scored the one and only goal in the last minute of the Castle Lager Premiership match against FC Platinum at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
Kalota’s controversial decisions did not deter the Gem Boys from not only securing their fifth straight win but their first ever victory over the platinum miners since joining the top flight league two seasons ago.
In terms of the two team’s performance on the pitch, the match failed to live up to its billing as both teams struggled to string more than three passes for the greater part of the encounter.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was forced to make an injury inspired substitution when Lindelwe Ndlovu was involved in a nasty tussle for possession with Tawanda Chisi and the former sustained a head injury that resulted in him being stretchered of the pitch in the 13th minute.
Kevin Mangiza replaced him.
Manica Diamonds could have surged ahead in the 39th minute, but Harare based referee Kalota denied the home team what appeared to be a clear penalty to many neutrals.
In that incident, goal bound Fortune Binzi, with the ball firmly under control as he got into the box, was hacked down by FC Platinum midfilder Rainsome Pavari and Kalota waved play on much to the chagrin of home team supporters.
The same happened in the 83rd minute when FC Platinum defender Lawrence Mhlanga clearly handled in the box while trying to clear the ball.
Lady Luck finally smiled on the home team three minutes into added time when exciting second half super substitute Micheal Tapera blasted a hard and low shot off a rebound after a corner kick to give Manica Diamonds the lead and only goal of the encounter.
However, it is the result that must have left Manica Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera opting not to complain about the match official’s performance.
Instead, Tapera chose to thank his players for a job well done.
“I am happy with this result. It is a reflection of the hard work that my boys are putting into this project. We played well, and we managed to defend well, especially in the first half, where we faced some scary moments. We are moving ahead with confidence and hope to carry on collecting points,” Tapera said.
His opposite number, Mapeza congratulated Manica Diamomds for a well-deserved triumph.
“Congratulations to Manica Diamonds for winning this encounter. It was a match we could have also won if we had made the most of the chances we created. But that is how the game football goes. You can only win when scoring. I think my boys played well, and we will make amends in the few areas we made mistakes,” Mapeza said.
Manica Diamonds:
Godfrey Chitsumba; Lawrence Masibera; Farai Banda; Tawanda Chisi; Thubilihle Jabulani; Jefrey Takunda; Amidu Bret (Panashe Mutasa, 78th mijute); Gerald Bhero (Charlse Teguru, 46th minute); Tawanda Macheke (Micheal Macheke, 46th minute); Enoch Karembo; Fortune Binzi (Kudzanai Dhemere, 78th minute):
FC Platinum:
Wallace Magalane; Felix Moyo; Lindelwe Mbongeni (Kevin Manguza, 16th minute); Lawrence Mhlanga; Ransome Pavari; Desire Magaya; Brian Banda; Juan Mutudza (Brighton Mavhire, 90th minute); Panashe Mutimbanyoka; Oscar Bhebhe; Thandolwenkosi Ngweny
Online Reporter