adminPaul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum ……………………………………..(2) 6
Caps United ………………………………………….. 0
ZAMBIAN national Under-20 player Obrey Chirwa proved too hot to handle when he scored a hat-trick against eight men Caps United and made sure his coach Norman Mapeza lifted his first silverware with FC Platinum, during the Zimbabwe National Army Commander Charities Shield played at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane yesterday.
Chirwa struck in the first, 45th and 85th minute.
David Chipala was sent for an early shower after the goal by Zvishavane based referee Rugare Kusosa after using abusive language. George Nyirenda was the second Caps United player to be red carded for a second bookable offence in the 67th minute and when he was still walking out of the pitch Hardlife Zvirekwi was also shown a red card.
“I am happy to lift my first silverware with Platinum but unfortunately some guys were sent off. My boys did well but the sending off of the Caps United players disrupted everything,” said an elated Mapeza.
Taurai Mangwiro was at a loss for words.
“I will not say anything about the match officials. I want to apologise to the Caps United family. This has been a disgrace to Zimbabwean football and I would also like to say sorry to all the Zimbabweans,” he said.
Mangwiro might not have said anything about the referee but the soft-spoken coach was forced to leave his technical area in the 67th minute and charged at the referee to give him a word or two.
Away from the red cards madness it was Chirwa, a player scouted by Jairos Tapera, who was on target as early as the opening minute. Tarisai Rukanda raced to a pass on the right by former Dynamos man Benjamin Marere. The striker found himself in the box under challenge from Chipala and sent a square pass to Chirwa who shot past the diving Jorum Muchambo.
The Zambian returned to haunt Muchambo when he outpaced the Makepekepe defence to drive home a pass in the box from young midfielder Tatenda Dzumbunu in the 45th minute.
He completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute and with the goalkeeper anticipating a cross he powered a hard shot on the near post that beat Muchambo all systems out.
Caps United had an effort ruled for offside in the 44th minute when Dominic Mukandi slotted a rebound home beating goalkeeper Petros Mhari but Nyarai Chirwa the second assistant referee had her flag up for offside.
Nyirenda was also on target in the 54th minute but for the wrong team. Chirwa was again the architect of the goal. He won the ball near the centre and raced towards goal before sending a cross that was met by the right boot of Nyirenda.
His shot hit the roof of the nets with Muchambo a well beaten man in a bid to clear. Rukanda who celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday did it in style as he scored goal number four for the miners. Chirwa was again involved. He won possession and went past Mukandi before sending an inch-perfect pass to the unmarked Rukanda who had the easiest task of slotting the ball home.
Young Walter Musona was also on target in the 79th minute scoring the fifth goal of the afternoon.
Nelson Maziwisa won possession and squared to Musona on the right. Musona took his time as he controlled the ball before charging towards the Caps United goal and sent a simple shot past Muchambo.
Teams
FC Platinum: P Mhari, R Muduviwa, K Moyo, E Moyo, G Bello, J Marufu, W Mutasa, T Dzumbunu (S Shoko 65 min), B Marere (W Musona 54 min), T Rukanda (N Maziwisa 78 min), O Chirwa.
Caps United: J Muchambo,T Kumbuyani, G Nyirenda, S Makatuka, D Chipala, D Mukandi, G Mangani (H Zvirekwi 55 min ), G Phiri (A Phiri 65 min), K Sibanda (T Samanja 46 min), I Thindwa, D Chungwa.
Online Reporter