FC Platinum through to defend Cup

Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
Caps United 0-0 FC Platinum
FC Platinum won 6-5 after penalty shoot out
NORMAN Mapeza yesterday warned Dynamos that his side was coming to Harare to defend the Independence Cup. The defending champions stormed into the Uhuru Cup final after beating Caps United 6-5 in a penalty shoot out at Mandava Stadium yesterday. “The cup is already in Zvishavane and on Saturday we are just going to Harare to defend it,” said Mapeza.

“We played football but we must not forget that we have people who lost their lives for us to be free. The cup has a lot of meaning in the history of Zimbabwe,” he added.

The platinum miners scored their spot kicks through Allan Gahadzikwa, Thabani Kamusoko, Rapheal Muduviwa, Wellington Kamudyariwa, Kelvin Moyo and Simon Shoko.

Zambian import Aaron Katebe was unlucky as his effort crashed against the crossbar after sending Caps United goalkeeper Criss Mverechena the wrong way.

Caps United who were the home team saw Rodrick Mutuma, Dominic Mukandi, Ronald Pfumbidzayi, Moses Muchenje, Stephen Makatuka all scoring past Francis Tizayi.

The former Masvingo goalminder was however the hero as he saved Chrispen Machisi and Leonard Fiyado’s efforts. Fiyado who could have sealed the game for Caps United chose to be stylish and shot weakly at goal.

Both teams had a sloppy first half and only came to life in the second. The platinum miners enjoyed the better of the exchanges and could have won the match in regulation time had they been accurate at goal.

It was probably sweet revenge for the Zvishavane side that lost maximum points three weeks ago to the Harare side in a league match.

Daniel Veremu and new signing Phillimon Mudena played their first match for FC Platinum this season and the two were impressive with Gahadzikwa shining in midfield as he combined well with the much improved Kamudyariwa.

Tinovimba Muskwe, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Moses Muchenje, Mutuma and substitute Machisi were the stars for Caps United.

Yesterday’s victory brought smiles to Mapeza and his fans after the platinum miners suffered a 1-3 defeat to visiting Chicken Inn last Saturday.

Caps United coach Mark Harrison put up a brave face after the defeat and praised his charges for a good show.

“We have travelled more than 2,000 kilometres in three days. It was a great display from my boys and I am really proud of them. We played better but penalties are a lottery”

“We lost today in a penalty shoot out and I remember the other day we were also celebrating after beating Dynamos in a penalty shoot out and that is what we call football.

“A lot of things are going on at Caps United but I am happy that when we returned from Triangle I managed to talk to my players. Our preparations before the Triangle match were poor and I’m happy that today it was different,” said the Englishman.

Teams:
Caps United: C Mverechena,H Zvirekwi (C Machisi 76th), R Matova(T Mahori), S Makatuka, C Munzabwa, D Mukandi, M Muchenje, R Pfumbidzai, T Muskwe (L Fiyado 59th), R Mutuma, V Musarurwa

FC Platinum: F Tizayi, D Veremu (A Katebe 68th), I Nekati (R Muduviwa 69th), P Mudena, K Moyo, T Kamusoko, A Gahadzikwa, T Dzumbunu (W Kamudyaeiwa, S Shoko, T Rukanda, E Mandiranga.