PLATINUM PARTY

Curtworth Masango

Dynamos…………..0

FC Platinum……….0

(FC Platinum won 4-2 after a penalty shootout)

THEY look like winning the league, for the fourth time on the trot, and they have just moved a place closer to a Double.

In the process, they have also ended Dynamos’ hopes of winning something substantial, this season, after elbowing the Glamour Boys from the Chibuku Super Cup.

FC Platinum didn’t have to be at their best to win this duel, which was quite poor by any standards, at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

In the end, they needed their nerves to squeeze life out of DeMbare, via the penalty shootout lottery.

Walter Musona, Blessing Moyo, Gift Mbweti and Brian Banda all converted their spot kicks.

Nomore Chinyerere’s kick was saved by Dynamos replacement goalkeeper, Frank Kuchinei, who came on for the injured Taimon Mvula, in the 24th minute.

Mvula suffered a shoulder injury, after landing awkwardly.

Only Tino Muringai and Evans Katema converted their penalties for DeMbare.

Trevor Mavhunga and Godknows Murwira were denied by FC Platinum goalie, Wallace Magalane.

Both teams created some chances in regulation time, but their strikers had an off day.

It was Musona, who came close to scoring in the seventh minute, but his free-kick was tipped over the bar by Mvula.

DeMbare’s Ralph Katema was fouled by Gift Bello in the 20th minute and Mavhunga was denied from the resultant free-kick.

There wasn’t much action in the second half, with the best Dynamos chance falling to Shadreck Nyahwa, who directed a free header over the crossbar, in the 52nd minute.

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza described the win as massive for his team.

“It’s a massive result for us, the boys worked so hard and I am happy,” he said.

His counterpart, Tonderai Ndiraya, said the loss was heart-breaking.

“It’s heart-breaking looking at the effort put in by the boys. 

“The game had to be decided by the penalty shootouts. Shootouts are like a lottery.

“We did the best we could and I thought we had a good game in the 90 minutes, but this is part of the game,” he said.

The Chibuku Super Cup semi-final draw was conducted soon after the match.

Herentals will take on FC Platinum with Black Rhinos, who edged Chicken Inn in yet another shootout, dating Bulawayo Chiefs.