adminStriker Farai Mususunye’s, late, late strike helped Shabanie end their neighbours’ 100 percent start to the season while also handing the asbestos miners their first win in five attempts.
Masomere had been sidelined for the last six months following his ban by Zifa over the Asiagate scandal.
The 44 year-old coach had a reprieve last Tuesday when the Asiagate Special Appeals committee commuted his two year-ban into a fine and the Shabanie gaffer immediately returned to his duties to steer a team that had until yesterday managed only point off a 1-1 draw with ailing Dynamos at the same venue.
It was also the first time that Masomere who now calls himself “The Doctor of Zimbabwean football’’ had guided Shabanie to a win over FC Platinum. Shabanie had managed just draws from their previous meetings with FC Platinum.
“I am now a doctor because I have done a lot in football and I have so many solutions to Zimbabwean football which I feel is very sick. I need it to be healthy and I feel it needed me,” declared Masomere.
“It was a very sweet victory in the sense that I managed to beat the strongest team in the league something that other teams better who are than us had failed to do.
“I planned well for this match but it was teamwork and we worked very hard and we just implemented what we practiced during the week. I am also happy for the supporters who had suffered so many defeats,’” Masomere said. Until yesterday Shabanie had lost to Highlanders, Triangle and Tripple B with the draw against Dynamos sandwiched between those losses.
Ten hours before the game, rains had pounded the mining town of Zvishavane but the lively mood at Maglas remained intact as Shabanie halted Tenant Chilumba’s winning start as FC Platinum coach.
FC Patinum somehow chose to abandon the passing game that had charmed their fans in their first four games and the resorted to high balls that were easily dealt with by returnee Tafadzwa Mombeshora who used his height to advantage.
Mususunye who was full of energy found the target right at the death when many thought the match had fizzled into a draw.
He received a pass from Fungai Chirinda, controlled the ball well before unleashing a grounder past goalkeeper Petros Mhari and the stadium erupted into a frenzy.
“My son Brian was born on Independence Day so I dedicate this goal to him as he celebrated his birthday on Thursday. I am excited to have scored only our second goal of the season,” said Mususunye. Mhari had done so well during the match as he denied the hosts from several scoring opportunities.
In the 65th minute Mususunye set up Chirinda but the later directed his header wide of Mhari’s goals.
Chirinda came close again in the 78th when found Mhari at his mercy after being sent through by Erea Phiri but he surprisingly shot wide.
Despite the defeat FC Platinum remained log leaders with 12 points, two ahead of nearest rivals Highlanders and Black Mambas.
The platinum miners had their chances too. Ali Sadiki could have drawn first blood in the 26th minute but Victor Twaliki who marked his return in style parried the ball back into play and the rebound fell to Nelson Maziwisa but again Twaliki made a stunning save as he turned the ball out for a corner.
Twaliki the son of former Caps United player the late Salad denied Sadiki a goal when he tipped his free-kick over the bar.
FC Platinum assistant coach Tendai Chikuni FC Platinum said his side would have loved to maintain their 100 percent record in the league.
“Shabanie played well in the first half and we tried to come back into the game but we failed to convert our chances and they utilised their best chance. We are going to regroup and focus on our next match on Wednesday,” Chikuni whose team host to Triangle in a mid-week fixture.
Online Reporter