Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IF FC Platinum go on to win the Premier Soccer League title with three or less points above the run-ners-up and GreenFuel get relegated for having three or less points short of the demarcation line, then it will all come down to referee Rusununguko Mutero.
This man was supposed to be in-charge of the game between GreenFuel and FC Platinum at the Green-Fuel Arena last Saturday.
Most people wish he had not set foot in Chisumbanje because the match unfolded in a manner that’s not acceptable even by kindergarten standards.
FC Platinum won the match 1-0 courtesy of a Jarrison Selemani free-kick that he expertly lifted over the wall and past Ashley Rayners to ensure the points just moments before Mutero’s final whistle.
It would seem the final whistle was the only correct call he made throughout the entire 90 minutes.
FC Platinum took their points tally to 40 and they have a game in hand against Manica Diamonds to fully capitalise on and start dominating the title race again.
GreenFuel are unsafe from the chop and needed the full points to ease the pressure.
They did everything to merit the win and the victory could have come in a big way had it not been for Mut-ero’s act.
Right in the opening moments of the game, GreenFuel forward Harrison Masina, a menace for the visitors throughout the game, paced out and beat David Bizabani, who kept goal for FC Platinum against his former club, to the ball.
Desperate to stop Masina, Bizabani clipped the striker right inside the box in a situation that should have seen the ‘keeper being yellow-carded and GreenFuel awarded a penalty but Mutero couldn’t have any of that.
Maybe it was a mistake from him but moments later, FC Platinum defender Misheck Ngwenya handled in the box and again, Mutero ignored it totally.
GreenFuel were like a house on fire, pinning down their visitors, fashioning out good chances and at times Mutero would just stop action for no apparent reason.
The second half was more or less the same in terms of GreenFuel dominating every phase of play as well as ball and territory and yet again Mutero, when Bongeni Ndlovu handled, in what was supposed to be the third penalty for the hosts, waved it away.
And right in the end, Mutero handed FC Platinum a free-kick which Selemani bundled home to underline one of the most controversial wins.
GreenFuel coach Rodwell Dhlakama refused to comment about match officiating, but squarely put the blame on himself.
“We have to blame ourselves really because we got chances which we could not put away. The contest was hot because of the context of the game,” said Dhlakama.
“We have 11 games to cushion ourselves from the drop. We need to improve in all aspects of our game. We were very good in transition, but fell short of the final pass.
“The fight for survival is getting awkward down there and we should carry ourselves to safety because it’s all up to us. If we improve, especially in our finishing, we can even fancy a top-half finish because we are not too far off that.”
