Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza is not throwing in the towel as yet despite losing ground at Gibbo yesterday after a 2-0 loss to Triangle.
This means they are now a massive 10 points behind log leaders Simba Bhora who are on 50 points.
Yesterday a goal in each half from Elton Njini and Praise Machengete was enough for Triangle to pile more pressure on Mapeza’s FC Platinum as they suffered they second defeat in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
FC Platinum’s latest loss was their third in a row in all competitions as Triangle extended their unbeaten run to fourteen matches in all competitions.
Mapeza was visibly disappointed with yesterday’s result, but confident that they will bounce back in their next fixture against Caps United at Mandava.
“We lost, it’s a game of football, we have to accept that these things happen in football and coming here was never easy, its always a difficult venue. We need to keep working hard and see how the season progresses. We are hosting Caps United next weekend and we need to do better to get a result,” said Mapeza.
The home side dominated possession in the opening minutes and Triangle’s mid-season signing Nomore Chinyerere tested Wallace Magalane with a stinging effort from a free-kick but the FC Platinum number one was equal to the task as he pushed the ball over bar in the 21st minute.
Triangle continued knocking and they were eventually rewarded when Munashe Bamara broke through to set up Njini who scored from close range after beating an offside trap by the visitors in the 38th minute.
FC Platinum refused to be bullied and pushed for an equaliser before the break but Thubelihle Jubani’s well struck effort was spectacularly saved by Takudzwa Chikosi in goals for Triangle on the cusp of half-time.
Triangle started the second period with purpose forcing FC Platinum to make mistakes as they conceded a corner kick soon after restart.
Veteran midfielder Ali Sadiki took the corner kick and his pin point delivery was headed into the net by Machengete with Magalane badly exposed in the 50th minute.
Triangle’s confidence grew after their second goal and dominated the midfield with Thabani Kamusoko dictating the pace while the industrious Bamara won every duel much to the delight of the home fans.
Bamara, the best man in the field was unlucky not to register his name on the score-sheet after his goal-bound effort from close range was blocked by Mbongeni Ndlovu who put his body on the line to keep the scoreline respectable for his team in the 65th minute.
Triangle United goalkeeper Chikosi was called into action as his reflexes denied Ali Maliselo from scoring an own goal following a dangerous free-kick from FC Platinum forward Jarrison Selemani in the 68th minute.
Genesis Mangombe was happy with the victory against former champions and by becoming only the second team to beat Mapeza’s coached side after Scottland.
“I am very happy with the victory; it’s every coach’s ambition and dream to win matches like this. We continue with our unbeaten run which is now at fourteen in all competitions.
“We were far better in the critical situations like the counter-attacks and we utilised our strength hence we managed to collect maximum points,” said Mangombe.
