Hwange lose to FC Platinum

From Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange …………………………………… 0
FC Platinum………………………….. (0) 1
A SIXTIETH minute brilliant volley by dreadlocked midfielder Thabani Kamusoko was all FC Platinum needed to collect maximum points against Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier League match played at the Colliery Stadium yesterday. With the second half promising to pass without any major talking point like the opening phase, it was Joel Ngodzo who had other ideas at the edge of the box as he laid a sitter for the on-rushing Kamusoko who obliged by unleashing a cracker which flew past a diving Takabva Mawaya before nestling into the top left corner silencing the drum beating home fans.

The coalminers were never really into the game as they failed to exhibit the same determination that saw the team walloping Monomotapa 3-0 in the capital before the long break which was due to national team commitments and the BancABC Sup8r tournament.

Hwange head coach Nation Dube attributed his team’s below par performance to the three-week break.
“This period disturbed my team’s performance as it was clear they had rust from the first whistle. What made the situation worse is that the Division One league is running hence we could not have any friendly matches during this period of inactivity, something which is not the case with FC Platinum who were involved in a cup tournament.

We will however work hard to pick ourselves up in the next assignments.” he said.
While his opposite number was mourning, FC Platinum gaffer Loyd Mutasa was in cloud nine as he gave the post match interview.

“I am very happy with a victory which is made sweeter by the fact that we have revenged as Hwange beat us at home in May by the same margin. We utilised the chance we created and it will go a long way to boost the confidence of the young lads especially with such away wins.” he said.

The home side started the game with their tails up as they threatened to overrun the platinum miners early into the game.
Just after two minutes veteran striker Gilbert Zulu cleverly flicked the ball on to the path of young Oscar Lungu who disappointed with a hurried effort which zoomed over the bar.

After five minutes, defender Munyaradzi Mungadze got another chance to draw first blood but his curling free kick just missed the left upright with the fans already up in the air.

Sensing danger, the visitors then lifted their game and started knitting together some lovely passes between left back Raymond Sibanda, Raphael Muduviwa and Nelson Mazivisa but the last pass proved to be their letdown. As the opening half progressed, both teams went to sleep and left the fans yawing with some uninspiring football.

Dube must have read the riot act during half time as his boys came back from the breather playing with a lot of purpose only to find twin centre backs Aaron Katebe and Daniel Vheremu in uncompromising mood.

Kamusoko struck on the hour mark to leave the home fans speechless and deflated.
All other attempts by the visitors to put the game out of sight were thwarted by some resolute defending by evergreen defender David Boriwondo.

On the stroke of full time, the usually reliable Mazivisa missed a golden chance to increase his team’s tally when he missed the target from close range after he had come at the end of a lovely combination between the lanky Donald Ngoma and substitute Obrey Chirwa.
Hwange referee Bekezela Makeka had a firm control of the game.

TEAMS:
Hwange: T Mawaya; M Mpofu; M Mungadze; G Ndlovu; D Boriwondo; A Tshuma; R Jongwe (T Chese 59th minute); O Lungu; G Zulu; E Rusike (N Siwela 73rd minute); F Vimisai (P Mpelele 62nd minute)
FC Platinum: F Tizayi; D Vheremu; A Katebe; T Kamusoko; R Sibanda (E Moyo 61st minute); R Muduviwa; W Mhango; W Ndiweni (T Mudehwe 51st minute); N Maziwisa; D Ngoma; J Ngodzo (O Chirwa 70th minute).