FC Platinum settle for silver

Gwanzura yesterday.
FC Platinum got their goals courtesy of Charles Sibanda, Mernard Mupera and an own goal by Tafadzwa Muzunze.
The Wild Boys got their consolation goal via Ozil Mupumha in the 43rd minute.
FC Platinum, who finished on second position despite having the same number of points with champions Dynamos, were toppled from the top of the log last week at Mandava when they lost 0-1 to the Glamour Boys.
It meant, with Dynamos winning 2-0 yesterday, they needed a 7-1 victory to be champions.
The Zvishavane based outfit will live to curse the day they let Dynamos beat them in their backyard given that a draw would have been enough for them to be crowned champions.
FC Platinum got their first goal from Sibanda in the 15th minute when he headed home a throw in by Kumbulani Banda and send their supporters into ecstasy.
At that moment, with the game goalless at Rufaro, FC Platinum were in control.
However, Shooting Star’s Mupumha found the equaliser two minutes before the break.
Tafadzwa Dube was caught off-guard by Elliot Matsika who chipped the ball over the ‘keeper and Mupumha got the final touch of the ball.
Ten minutes after the break, the visitors were awarded a penalty when Mazunze tackled Sibanda in the box after he had been outpaced.
Mupera converted from the spot, as he has done all season.
Six minutes before time, Norman Maroto crossed the ball from the left flank into the box and Muzunze headed into his own goal, beating ‘keeper, Godfrey Brown.
Still, at that stage, the championship was still alive as a Kiglon equaliser at Rufaro would have changed the script.
But Dynamos got the insurance goal, four minutes from time, and FC Platinum were doomed.
Assistant coach, Tendai Chikuni, said they were now focusing on the Champions League.
“Now what we need to do is to go back to the drawing board as we prepare for the Champions League.
“It was a tough season but the guys did well,” said Chikuni.
“As much as we wanted to win we need to really appreciate and thank the executive, the supporters and the players for their effort.
“Every game we played was like a cup final and as much as we expected to win every game, every team wanted to win against us.
“Although we lost on goal difference we did well, we need to give credit to the executive, they planned and put everything in place.”
The FC Platinum assistant coach was happy with his players’ performance in yesterday’s match.
“We came here knowing we were going to win, we were not concentrating on Dynamos, we were concentrating on our game although we needed the results from Dynamos,” Chikuni said.
Shooting Stars coach, Tonderai Marume said they were hoping to retain most of their players as they go into Division One next year.
“At the moment yes we are going to retain our players because no one has been coming to us seeking a move,” said Marume.
“It was a beautiful game, both teams played with the spirit of trying to win.
“I am happy with the performance of the boys and their attitude not to give it away on a silver platter.
“We failed to defend set pieces and those crosses from the wings,” said Marume said.
Teams
Shooting Stars: G. Brown, E. Matsika (T. Sambo 87th minute), W. Chingodza, B. Mazorodze, C. Mutero, T. Chioreso, T. Muzunze, O. Mupumha (G. Nyoni 79th minute), F. Kamba, T. Muparaganda (S. Gahadzikwa 63rd minute), M. Muneri.
FC Platinum: T. Dube, B. Marere (N. Maroto 49th minute), K. Banda, B. Dube, Z. Ngodzo, D. Ngoma (N. Togara 86th minute), C. Sibanda, M. Mupera, J. Ngodzo, R. Sibanda (W. Manondo 53rd minute), I. Gwandu.