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Nkosilathi Sibanda in BULAWAYO
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
HIGHLANDERS’ promising start to the Castle Lager Premiership was dented as they succumbed to a 2-0 loss against visiting FC Platinum at Barbourfields yesterday.
Early goals by FC Platinum, that came in a flash, inside 10 minutes was all that separated the teams.
FC Platinum opened the scoring in two minutes of play through Juan Mutudza, who positioned himself well to finish off a coordinated passage of play. Highlanders’s defence was caught off guard and exposed their goalkeeper, Raphael Pitisi, who dived the wrong way and let in a beauty of a shot.
In the opening five minutes, Highlanders tried to raid the platinum miners with fast-paced attcks but the visitors’ defence was alert, shutting out the efforts.
FC Platinum had the first corner, just in 10 minutes of play, Mutudza curled it and Lawrence Mhlanga rose high and nodded the second goal.
That is all FC Platinum needed to collect maximum points. Highlanders were not in their usual form and the trusted defensive line, led by captain Peter Muduhwa, was porous.
After the second goal, Bosso attempted to regain composure and Mvelo Khoza’s thunderbolt went wide.
Godfrey Makaruse, who was drafted in to replace Archford Faira, was fouled on the left lank by Hagiazo Magaya. However, Mbeba skied the free-kick.
Bosso’s first corner came in the 30th minute. Prince Ndlovu took the kick but found no takers at goal. Another corner kick came and Andrew Mbeba was trusted to pass it through, instead, the ball was blocked by Platinum’ Rainsome Pavari.
For Highlanders, the absence of the ever creative Melikhaya Ncube, who was serving a one-match suspension, was felt.
At the 37th minute, Bosso had the chance to reply but McKinnon Mushore’s shot hit the upright post, with the rebound landing on Prince Ndlovu’s boots but he shot wide.
In the opening 15 minutes of the second half, Highlanders had opportunities to hit back but Lynoth Chikuhwa fluffed them, while FC Platinum could have netted their third goal through Hagiazo Magaya.
In the end, Kaindu rued the absence of Melikhaya.
“We were unsettled in the first 10 minutes that we conceded two goals and it is always difficult to come back, especially against a team like FC Platinum. I think Melikhaya’s absence could have affected us.
“We didn’t convert chances that came our way. Our opponents scored utilised the chances they got. Even in the second half we looked a bit stronger but unfortunately we couldn’t get the goals in terms of converting the chances that we had created.
FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza, was a happy man.
He was honest enough to say he did not expect the victory, given Bosso’s legacy at Barbourfields and their record so far.
“It was a good game of football. I said it before, it was all to do with controlling the game in the opening minutes and that’s exactly what we did. We had some good opportunities to increase the lead. Overall it was a good game,” said Mapeza.
“I told the guys that in the first 15 minutes they were going to come at us. It worked well as we needed to defend with four players at the back and made sure there were no crosses coming in between. Well done to my boys, they did exactly what we did at training,” said Mapeza.
Teams:
Highlanders: R. Pitisi, D. Mhindirira (Chigonero 66 minutes) , L. Chikuhwa, M. Mushore, P. Ndlovu, G. Makaruse ( T. Dube 79 minutes), A. Mbeba, M. Mushore, P. Muduhwa, M. Khoza ( Chigumira 66 minutes) B. Ncube
FC Platinum: D. Bizabani, B. Nzori, L. Mhanga, R. Pavari, S. Mhlanga (Manhire 83 minutes) H. Magaya, B. Banda, J. Mutudza (Mangiza 83 minutes), D. Marowa, (Bhebhe 61 minutes) P. Mutimbanyoka, W. Muvirimi (T Ngwenya 61 minutes)
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter