adminPaul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
VETERAN midfielder Clement Matawu was the star of the show as Chicken Inn booked a berth in the semi-finals of the One Wallet Cup as the Gamecocks edged FC Platinum at Mandava yesterday.
Matawu, who shone like a beacon all afternoon, won the hearts of the fans of the neutrals with a blinder and grabbed the winning goal with eight minutes remaining in regulation time.
The FC Platinum defence failed to clear their lines after a fine move by the visitors and substitute forward Ishamel Lawe pushed the ball into the path of the former Motor Action midfielder.
Matawu released a scorcher, a firing first time drive that beat FC Platinum and former Hwange goalminder Petros Mhari to win the tie for the Gamecocks.
“This is one of my best games. In the past seasons, Chicken Inn have been going out in the first round but this is a positive result and we are looking forward to the semi-finals,” said Matawu.
“With the way the league is shaping up, it seems we are out of the race but this tournament is our only chance of claiming silverware this season.”
With very few scoring chances in a tight match, it was Matawu’s effort that made all the difference.
Both sides didn’t create meaningful goal scoring chances although the platinum miners looked dangerous every time they won free-kicks.
Substitute Walter Musona fired one of the free-kicks wide from just outside the box in the 75th minute.
The visitors were composed, strong at the back, mobile in midfield and their attack always looked dangerous with Matawu at the heart of their best moves.
Joey Antipas, the Chicken Inn gaffer, was pleased with the result and said his charges had stuck to the game plan.
“I am happy with the result and being in the semi-finals of the tournament.
“The boys stuck to our game plan, which was to suffocate the midfield and get a man behind the ball so that we pin them in their own half,” he said.
His counterpart, Lloyd Mutasa, was a disappointed man and blamed the loss on a misfiring strike-force.
“I am disappointed with the overall performance of the team.
“We were second to the ball and our strikers failed to utilise the few chances which came our way,” said Mutasa.
Teams
FC Platinum: P. Mhari, R. Muduviwa, E. Moyo, T. Kamusoko, J. Marufu, A. Gahadzikwa, M. Mudehwe (Musona 51st min), M. Katsvairo, A. Katebe, T. Rukanda (Sibanda 61st min), R. Sibanda (Mutasa 80th min)
Chicken Inn: E. Chipezeze, M. Jackson, D. Lunga, J. Bernad, L. Mhlanga, F. Bushiri, T. Goredema, C. Matawu, R. Zhuwawo, T. Mukambi (Lawe 66min) (Nkomo 90min) , B. Mbiriri
Online Reporter