adminBENJAMIN MARERE made an emotional return to Mandava with a classic display as FC Platinum started life without sacked coach Rahman Gumbo in an exciting league match in Zvishavane yesterday.
Marere had been discarded by the national team coach when he was not considered for FC Platinum’s failed Champions League adventure but he marked his return with a goal that preceded Mitchelle Katvsairo’s brace as the hosts came from behind to win after Alick Marime had thrust the visitors in the lead in the sixth minute.
The former Mwana Africa man chose to pack his bags as there was tension between him and his coach and at one time trained with CAPS United.
But he finally came back and settled the differences although he had to endure the agony of watching football from the terraces for six months since he was not registered.
Yesterday Marere announced his return to business when he found the equaliser in the 63rd minute, latching on to a long clearance from another former Dynamos player Thabani Kamusoko.
He shrugged off the challenge of Andrew Chuma and fired a shot from his right boot that flew past goalkeeper Alexander Useni and hit the roof of the net.
As if it was pay back time he raced to the VIP stand that houses the FC Platinum executive and saluted them.
Gumbo and Marere never really got on well and that the player was not transferred to another club was largely because of the support he got from the FC Platinum executive.
In dramatic fashion Marere was to be the architect of the third goal. Playing wide on the right he raced to a long clearance and controlled the ball before it went out of touch with Owen Motsi in hot pursuit.
He got the better of Motsi and sent an inch perfect past to Ali Sadiki who then fed Katsvairo and the former Gunners hitman saw his effort flying past Useni in the 85th minute.
Goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube raced to congratulate Marere after the goal.
Interim coach Tendai Chikuni then wanted to substitute Katsvairo but it was Marere who opted to come off instead and the veteran striker received a standing ovation as he trudged off.
“I opted to come out because I felt I had done my part and I wanted to give other players the chance. It was a long time since I last played a full game.
“I was happy to score and I dedicate the goal to president Nathan Shoko, his executive and the fans that had been rallying behind me during the match and during the time that I was not playing,” said the 28-year-old Marere.
Marere could however, have scored a brace had he not missed the target with inches in the 67th minute with the Hardbody goalkeeper a well beaten man.
Katsvairo who had a good second half scored the first of his two goals in the 73rd minute when he connected a cross from his close friend and left back, Qadr Amin.
The scoreline does little justice to an exciting second half that saw Ali Sadiki being denied twice in the 65th and 67th minutes by the brilliance of Useni.
The Watosvorwa goalkeeper first tipped over the bar Sadiki’s scorching effort from his favored left boot for a corner which the hosts failed to utilise. Another
scorcher was again blocked out for a corner as Useni frustrated the menacing Sadiki.
Charles Sibanda who had rather a quite afternoon by his standards could not believe his eyes when headed wide Sadiki’s free kick in the 35th minute with the goalkeeper at his mercy.
The visitors who should blame themselves for the defeat had found the opener when Marime’s free kick from about 25 meters out beat Dube but struck the left upright post.
Cornelius Simango was on hand to control the rebound and laid the ball to for former Shabanie hitman Michael Mageja who made no mistake from close range.
Chikuni, Rahman’s trusted lieutenant made some changes to the team handing starts to such players like Simon Shoko, Norman Togara, Allan Gahadzikwa, Katsvairo and Kamusoko.
Hardbody coach Tavaka Gumbo conceded defeat after the match.
“I am going to fight hard in the next game although it will be away in the capital. We made silly blunders in defence and wasted chances,” said the former Shu-Shine midfielder. Chikuni was a happy man after the victory.
“We were not organised in the first five minutes and conceded a stupid goal as we were giving them enough space. I just instructed the guys to shoot as I had pushed Benjamin wide on the right with Allan on the left.”
“I am looking forward to positive results and I would like to thank Rahman who laid the foundation of this team. I am just urging everyone to remain united and results will come,” said Chikuni.
Teams:
FC Platinum: T Dube, D Veremu, Q Amin, S Shoko, A Sadiki, T Kamusoko, N Togara, C Sibanda, M Katsvairo, B Marere (D Ngoma 90th minute),A Gahadzikwa
Hardbody: A Useni, J Mangiza, C Simango (N Ncube 10th minute), B Juru, A Chuma, M Nyakabangwe (C Maheya 76th minute), M Mageja, H Gravel, R Jongwe (O Motsi 76th minute), D Mwanza, A. Marime
Online Reporter