adminHarare City came into the match having lost twice to the miners. The Sunshine Boys were beaten 1-4 at Gwanzura Stadium early this season before being routed 0-3 in the Mbada Cup first round.
Yesterday Crybert Muvuti scored the all-important goal. A long throw-in by Tongai Chiworeso on the right eluded the home defenders and fell onto the path of Muvuti who was lurking in the box and had the easiest task of placing the ball past goalkeeper Francis Tizayi in the 27th minute.
The home team could have equalised through William Manondo in the 35th minute. Mitchelle Katsvairo found his way past former Shabanie Mine defender Witness Nyamutsakwa before sending a cross to Donald Ngoma. The tall striker chested the ball for Manondo who missed the target.
Ali Sadiki, one of the most dependable midfielders, was the next to deny his side an equaliser. Monondo was the provider in the 51st minute but the former Gunners hitman shot weakly into the hands of Maxwell Nyamupangedengu.
The day honestly did not belong to the miners as Benjamin Marere found himself face-to-face with Nyamupangedengu when he was sent through by Qadr Amin but he skied his effort in the six-yard box.
Platinum, who had changed their formation from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 were nearly rewarded in the 82nd minute when Bulawayo referee Brighton Malandule awarded them a free kick at the edge of the box. The miners’ deadball specialist, Sadiki shook his head in disbelief when Nyamupangedengu tipped his effort over the bar. Bigboy Mawiwi was over the moon after the victory.
“I said I was looking for a positive result in Zvishavane. In my life I do not lose more than twice to the same team, it’s just impossible. Our confidence was very high and the times we lost to FC Platinum we were playing very well but I am now happy that my team has gelled,’ said Mawiwi.
Tendai Chikuni said it was not their day.
“We threw everything into the match missing chances but I must give credit to their goalkeeper (Nyamupangedengu) for an outstanding afternoon. We are going back to the drawing board to rectify all our shortcomings because we need to capitalise on home advantage,” he said.
Chikuni has the maximum support of the executive and so far has posted six victories, drawn twice and lost as many times since taking over from Rahman Gumbo.
Teams
FC Platinum: F Tizayi, T Kamusoko, R Muduviwa (A Gahadzikwa 73rd), Q Amin, D Veremu, Manondo (C Sibanda 60th), A Sadiki, M Katsvairo, W Ndiweni, B Marere, D Ngoma (J Ngodzo 50th minute).
Harare City: M Nyamupangedengu, T Nyamadzawo, W Kalongonda, C Muvuti (G Nguwodzawo 67th minute), W Nyamutsaka, T Chiworeso, M Nyenye, N Ziwini, S Songani (R Manuvire 93rd minute), B Mupfawa (T Chawapihwa 81st minute), C Dickson.
Online Reporter