adminFrom Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum 2-0 Chapungu
LLOYD “Samaita” Mutasa lifted his first silverware – the CG Msipa Scholarship Trust with FC Platinum yesterday when his men put up a spirited performance to take home the glittering trophy and $6,000 for the winners after overcoming a 10-man Chapungu at Mandava Stadium.
Chapungu settled for the wooden spoon and for their efforts took home a cool $4,000 with losing finalists Shabanie and Highlanders pocketing $2,000 each.
The day however belonged to a teenage sensation 20-year-old Tatenda Mudehwe who scored a brace.
The hard running striker who kept Chapungu defenders on their toes each time he got possession reacted to a pass from former Bosso striker Njabulo Ncube before releasing a scorcher that beat Roy Mazingi all systems out in the 34th minute.
After the goal Chapungu continued to sing the blues when their player Charles Murisa was sent for an early shower for retaliating on exciting platinum miners’ right back Raphael “Fiji” Mudhuviwa.
The former Black Rhinos player Mudehwe returned to haunt the visitors with a solo effort three minutes after the breather. Stephen Sibanda was the architect of the second goal as he tore the Chapungu defence into shreds and sent a defence splitting pass to Mudehwe.
Mazingi hesitated in coming out of his line to thwart Mudehwe and when he eventually did the striker cleverly placed the ball beyond his reach.
Mudehwe had even the courtesy of missing the penalty in the 61st minute when speed merchant Michelle Katsvairo was brought down in the box by Chapungu defender Johnson Mabhugu.
He sent his effort to the right and the former Shabanie goal minder saved the penalty.
Mazingi was the hero of Chapungu on Saturday when he saved Kudakwashe Mahachi, Peter Moyo and Bruce Kangwa’s spotkicks at Ascot Stadium.
Mudehwe’s goal killed all the spirit in the Chapungu camp and with Mutasa introducing midfielders and strikers the Gweru-based team was in trouble and never troubled Talbott Shumba.
The victory by Mutasa was probably the icing he needs as he focuses on lifting the championship.
“It was a four-team tournament but I feel honoured. It is a step forward in the right direction for me.
“Marshall (Mudehwe) never scored last year and this time he has scored four goals in two matches which is a massive improvement,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu