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Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
Highlanders 1-2 FC Platinum
HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu (left) was yesterday silenced by visiting FC Platinum after agonisingly watching his lethargic side surrender a one-goal lead to lose 1-2 in a Castle Lager Premier League match at Barbourfields Stadium.
The Zvishavane-based miners completely outclassed Bosso in every department to leave Mafu with egg on his face after describing the visitors’ type of football as pathetic in the run-up to the clash.
The win was FC Platinum’s first at Barbourfields since they were promoted to the top flight and stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games.
Bosso looked like they were going to continue from where they left off in the thumping win against How Mine last weekend when they took the lead in the fourth minute through the league’s top goal scorer Knox Mutizwa.
But as play progressed, FC Platinum proved that the hosts had flattered only to deceive by coming back with goals by Elvis Moyo and Tarisai Rukanda.
Mafu blamed poor defending for both goals, but the miners should be given credit for their neat methodical build-ups that left Bosso players chasing shadows all afternoon, especially in the second half.
“We didn’t defend well and we allowed them to score two simple goals. We gave away the lead unnecessarily and we did not take our chances,” said Mafu.
Highlanders had threatened to overrun the visitors from kick off and could have taken the lead with 30 seconds on the clock when Rahman Kutsanzira’s well executed shot was blocked.
Two minutes later, Mutizwa wasted a free header inside the box when he directed a weak effort into the hands of FC Platinum’s Petros Nhari with the defence virtually static.
Mutizwa made no mistake in the fourth minute when he headed in a brilliant Obidiah Tarumbwa cross from the right after a good interchange of passes.
The goal seemed to be a wakeup call for the visitors as they started to exert their dominance and almost restored parity in the 12th minute when Highlanders goal minder Njabulo Nyoni struggled to deal with a cross from the left and almost punched the ball into his own net had Felix Chindungwe not cleared from the line.
The visitors conjured up another brilliant move seven minutes later when Tatenda Mudehwe found Brian Muzondiwa with a defence-splitting pass only to be denied by Nyoni who smothered the ball from the forward’s feet in a one-on-one situation.
Bosso witnessed another chance go begging in the 26th minute when Tarumbwa blasted over the bar from close range off a clever flick from Mutizwa.
FC Platinum soon seized control of the midfield with some deft touches that paid dividends in the 43rd minute when Moyo levelled the scores.
Allan Gahadzikwa threaded a through pass that caught the Bosso centre backs napping and the speedy Moyo made no mistake, firing a low shot past the advancing Nyoni.
After the interval Mafu made a double change bringing in Edmore Muzanenhamo and King Nadolo for Kutsanzira and the out of sorts Godfrey Makaruse.
However, the change did nothing to thwart FC Platinum’s dominance in midfield as they continued to spray good passes with ease.
Rukanda gave the visitors a deserved lead in the 63rd minute after punishing sloppy marking by Bosso centreback Douglas Sibanda.
Rukanda beat Sibanda, who was marking from the wrong side, and placed the ball beyond the reach of the onrushing Nyoni.
Bosso brought in Nqobizitha Masuku for Tendai Ngulube in the 68th minute, but his only contribution was a yellow card for his lunge on Rukanda.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was ecstatic and took a pot shot at Mafu for attacking his charges’ type of football.
“I’m happy with the result and that we played good football. We worked hard with the boys just like we have been doing and will continue doing,” said Mapeza.
“I heard what Mafu said about us at the beginning of the week and I believe that it’s disrespectful for him to say such bad things about another team. I’ve so much respect for every team and I would not even say that to a fourth division team.”
Highlanders: Njabulo Nyoni, Simon Munawa, Rahman Kutsanzira (Nadolo 46), Godfrey Makaruse (Muzanenhamo 46), Knox Mutizwa, Felix Chindungwe, Douglas Sibanda, Tendai Ngulube (Masuku 68), Honest Moyo, Peter Mudhuwa
FC Platinum: Petros Nhari, Raphael Muduviwa, Gift Bello, Kevin Moyo, Elvis Moyo, Gerald Takwara, Winston Mhano, Allan Gahadzikwa,Tatenda Mudehwe (Mandiranga 60), Brian Muzondiwa(Shoko 90),Tarisai Rukanda (Sibanda 85).
Bongani Ndlovu