adminBrighton Zhawi in Kariba
ZPC Kariba………………….. …………………..(1) 1
FC Platinum……………………………………….(0) 1
CONTROVERSIAL referee Ruzive Ruzive was at the centre of an ugly finish to this heavyweight Castle Lager Premiership match as log leaders FC Platinum battled from behind to secure a draw at Nyamhunga yesterday.
The draw saw FC Platinum take their points tally to 44 points, four more than second placed Caps United who visit Triangle this afternoon.
Pure Platinum Play, who ended the game with 10 men after Gift Bello was sent off, restored parity in the 63rd minute through a Walter Musona strike after the home team were put in front in the first-half by Tawanda Munyanduri’s well taken turn and volley. In search of a winner in the two added minutes FC Platinum threw everything forward and a goal-bound Charles Sibanda was tripped just outside the box but referee Ruzive waved play on. The resultant long clearance saw veteran striker Limited Chikafa one on one with the visitors’ goal keeper Petros Mhari, but his effort missed the target by a whisker.
Former Dynamos defender Bello against the decision to ignore the foul on Sibanda and was cautioned.
However, that did not silence Bello and Ruzive gave him his second yellow inside a minute. More drama unfolded as FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza stormed the pitch in a bid to get Bello off the field.
No play continued as Ruzive ended the match to fuel more commotion as several FC Platinum officials invaded the pitch to register their displeasure.
As expected the match was a tactical affair and ZPC Kariba will rue a glut of missed chances in a match they showed superb defensive play.
Their discipline and patience paid off in the 20th minute when Munyanduri volleyed in a beautiful Never Tigere cross from the right flank.
The home team almost doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when speedy winger Talent Chawapihwa, who was a menace throughout the match, beat three FC Platinum defenders for pace and played in ageless Chikafa whose shot just wide.
The visitors goalkeeper Mhari produced a top-notch save to deny Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe who had unleashed a thunderous shot in the box with five minutes before halftime. But momentum was with FC Platinum after the breather and a Charles Sibanda volley that missed the goal by a whisker was a sign of what was to come.
The visitors restored parity when Musona finished off a rebound in the box after his first attempt was blocked.
In the end the two teams shared the spoils and ZPC Kariba coach Sunday Chidzambwa reckoned his team, which won the reverse fixture at 2-1 at Mandava, dropped crucial points.
Mapeza welcomed the draw.
Online Reporter