No Pure Platinum Play

Mukudzei Chingwere in Zvishavane
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

Triangle United . . . . . . . . . .  0

FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza last week told the media that his team’s next five fixtures have the potential to shape his men’s destiny.

A home win in the first of those five games, against Triangle United at Mandava yesterday, would have set the tone for a good run but the defending champions were lethargic as they failed to unlock a visiting team that finished the game a man short. The miners were given a major boost in the 67th minute after Arnold Chivheya was given his marching orders for a second yellow card by blundering referee of the day, Nkosana Nduna.

But the script continued after the sending off as FC Platinum struggled to fashion out chances.

Their first real chance came on the hour mark when Rahman Kutsanzira failed to make the most of a Rodwell Chinyengetere cross. Two minutes after they were reduced to 10 men, Triangle felt hard done when Nduna waved play on after Nhamo Lameck was brought down inside the box by Kelvin Moyo.Right at the death, FC Platinum thought they had snatched maximum points but Farai Madhanhanga’s headed effort was ruled out for offside.

Mapeza conceded his miners had dropped important points but put up a brave face saying there are a lot of positives to take from the match.

“I would say its two points lost. Triangle came with a game plan, they were organised at the back and it is difficult to play against a team that is organised at the back. But overally we played well and just need to keep working hard,” said Mapeza.

Triangle United coach Mangwiro was happy with a point on the road.

“We did not allow them to play their passing game and it worked for us,” said Mangwiro.

“They only had chances to pass the ball around after we were a man less and I think we did very well away from home against a good side like FC Platinum.

“After we were a man down we kept attacking them, Lawrence Mhlanga did not have match fitness and that is why we maintained two central strikers even after going a man down.”

Teams

FC Platinum: P Mhari, J Mukombwe, L Mhlanga, K Moyo, E Moyo, W Mhango, N Tigere (G Mbweti 55), F Madhananga, R Kutsanzira, A Eonde (M Dube 76), A Sadiki (R Chinyengetere 54)

Triangle: T Chilenga, D Phiri, A Chiveya, K Chigwida, D Dzvinyai, R Kawondera, A Chivabdire, D Murimba (S Makoni 60), R Madamombe, P Bamusi (C Dhuwa), L Nhamo (T Mavhunga 83’)