adminBruce Chikuni
FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza, believes Simba Bhora blew a golden chance to beat the champions when they went into their shell, after taking the lead, in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The Shamva side conceded twice in six minutes to surrender their lead and fall to defeat.
“We conceded a soft goal and I think the introduction of Walter Musona and Perfect Chikwende changed the complexion of the game,” said Mapeza.
“Our opponents started to sit back waiting for us to come at them and I think that was their biggest letdown because they didn’t want to push forward anymore.
“We kept playing and that’s how we got our goals and even if we had shared the spoils it wasn’t going to concern us because it’s still too early.”
This match was played before a decent crowd.
FC Platinum fans were drowned by the host’s brass band for the better part of the game.
Simba Bhora fans came out in numbers to celebrate their historic moment.
There was a feeling that this turnout could have been even better had this match been played at their fortress at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva.
The host put up a good show before the break and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, restricting the champions from holding onto the ball for too long.
Ronald Chitiyo produced a magical moment in what was the league’s first goal of the campaign, by putting the hosts in front, in the 53th minute.
He took advantage of a miscued clearance from goalkeeper Wallace Magalane.
The arrival of Chikwende created room for the ZTN Sport team’s man-of-the-match, Juan Mutudza, to excel.
Mutudza headed home two goals in the 80th and 86th minute.
Ndiraya said they lost because they got carried away easily.
“I will take confidence from the way we performed today and we also have to salute the players in the manner that we fought today.
“It’s an issue of concentration, we got overexcited and we dropped all the points and I’m very disappointed,” said Ndiraya.
Online Reporter