Hwange dump FC Platinum

From Tobias Mandoreba in HWANGE
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . .(0)1
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . .0A WELL-TAKEN second half penalty by skipper Gerald Ndlovu helped Hwange dump FC Platinum from the Mbada Diamonds Cup before a huge crowd at the Colliery yesterday.

Ndlovu converted the 57th minute penalty awarded by Bulawayo-based referee Philani Ncube who adjudged that former Hwange midfielder Winston Mhango had hacked down Isaac Masame in the box as he went for the kill.

Up stepped Ndlovu to coolly slot home past FC Platinum goalminder Francis Tizayi to leave the Hwange fans in delirium. The loss by the FC Platinum means their fans have to endure a second heartbreak in a space of a week after the platinum miners were beaten 5-3 on penalties by bitter rivals Shabanie Mine in the BancABC Super8 Cup final in Mandava last week.

Away from the tensely contested match, the sponsors roused the rather quiet mining town from Saturday morning as they went around dishing hundreds of T-shirts around the coal mining town in clubs, terminuses, supermarkets, beerhalls and flea markets.

The US$1 entry fee, described by many fans as affordable, also contributed to the glamour and glitz associated with the tournament as there was a carnival atmosphere with the stadium being packed to the rafters under the blistering Hwange heat.

The victorious Hwange were the first to show their intentions in this “diamond contest” as early as the opening moments when they pinned FC Platinum in their own half with some brilliant attacks orchestrated by man of the match Farai Vimisai.

As early as the third minute  midfielder Vimisai sliced through the platinum miners’ midfield before releasing Richard Jongwe who cleverly flicked the ball to young Oscar Lungu whose volley just flew past the left upright with Tizayi well beaten.

The Zvishavane side’s immediate response to the Hwange threat was a lame effort at goal by Mhango which found agile Hwange goal minder Takabva Mawaya alert.

After 10 minutes Lungu again cursed his lack of luck in front of goal as another Vimisai fine pass ended with him releasing a weak shot at goal from close range.

FC Platinum then settled down and started launching venomous attacks from the right flank revolving around Zambian import Obrey Chirwa and during their attacking spell lanky Donald Ngoma shook his head in disbelief in the 35th minute as his glancing header missed the target with the Hwange rearguard caught flat footed.

Hwange coach Nation Dube then made an inspired substitution in the 50th minute when he brought in dribbling wizard Tafara Chese who added some firepower into the coalminers attack. Chese proved his worth when he dribbled past two FC Platinum defenders before releasing Masame who was brought down for the Hwange spot kick in the 57th minute.

While Dube played his cards right with Chese’s introduction, FC Platinum gaffer Lloyd Mutasa shot himself in the foot when he surprisingly pulled out Chirwa for Mitchelle Katsvairo in the 60th minute effectively killing the sting in his team’s attack.

Another Hwange substitute Nkosana Siwela could have ended the match as contest in the 75th minute when a clever chip by Vimisai found him unmarked in the box but the dreadlocked midfielder surprised even himself when he blazed way over the bar with a yawning net in front of him.

FC Platinum then huffed and puffed for an equaliser but they found the Hwange defence, well marshalled by twin centre-backs David Boriwondo and Gerald Ndlovu in no mood for any favours.

As always is the case when Hwange prevails in crunch matches, their head coach Nation Dube had again lost his voice through barking instructions from the touchline and he had to delegate the goalkeepers’ coach Chenjerai Dube who was on cloud nine as he gave the post match interview.

“We are happy as we played as a team and before this game, we told the boys that we always lose matches because we don’t play as a team.

“I can foresee us going all the way to the final if we maintain this spirit.” Chenjerai said.
While Hwange celebrated as if they had won a cup final, FC Platinum’s Loyd Mutasa was seething with fury directed towards the match officials.

“It wasn’t a bad match as we had our chances but I have no kind words for the match officials who tilted the game in our opponents’ favour. We were denied a clear penalty late in the game and everyone saw it. I usually don’t want to talk too much on things which I don’t have control over but my last words are that the playing field was not even.” said Mutasa.