adminDon Makanyanga
Black Rhinos…………..1
FC Platinum……………0
AFTER watching their eight-match unbeaten run halted by Ngezi Platinum Stars last week, army side Black Rhinos quickly bounced back to their winning ways when they upstaged champions FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
The goal that made all the difference came courtesy of a second minute strike by Edgar Chigiji.
Wellington Taderera intercepted a Gift Bello clearance to find Chigiji on the right side.
The pint-sized midfielder then beat two FC Platinum defenders before unleashing a powerful grounder onto the far post.
Chigiji continued to haunt FC Platinum as he came close to grabbing a brace 10 minutes later when his close range volley hit the woodwork.
The visitors could have restored parity on the quarter hour mark when Congolese International Guyve Nsiala had a one on one situation with Black Rhinos goalkeeper Ashley Reyners.
However, the FC Platinum striker shot straight into the army side goalkeeper’s hands. Rhinos continued to press the visitors and were unlucky as Leeroy Murape’s long range effort was tipped off for a corner a minute before the half-time break.
With the visitors also pressing on, Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa had to employ a defensive approach in the second half.
FC Platinum went home without a point or a win as the hosts committed a number of defensive errors.
One of the errors could have paid off for the log leaders in the 53rd minute when Albert Eonde capitalised on a clearance by Reyners, leaving Andrew Tandi to pull down the Cameroonian international on the edge of the penalty box and saving the day for the hosts.
William Stima came close to securing an equaliser the visitors in the 58th minute when he hit the upright from 30 yards.
“This was a crucial win for us as it brings us back into the equation of the league title, we are back in it,” said Maruwa.
FC Platinum stand in coach Lizwe Sweswe described the defeat as an eye-opener for the defending champions in their quest to land the league title for the third consecutive year.
“We had our chances in the second half but failed to convert them. Sometimes lady luck is not on your side.
“Sometimes losing is okay, it’s good for us because we will go back to the drawing board and work hard in order to defend the title,” said Sweswe.
Teams
Black Rhinos: A.Reyners, T. Jaravani, F. Banda, A.Tandi, T. Sibanda, G. Saunyama (V Mhandu 85 min) , E.Chigiji, W.Taderera, M.Demera (M. Makumba 69min) , L. Murape, A. Gahadzikwa ( W Kapinda 78 min).
FC Platinum: F. Tizayi, R. Muduviwa, G. Bello, W. Stima, F. Madhanhanga, L.Nhamo( M. Dube 81 min) D. Chafa, R. Kutsanzira, G.Nsiala ( K Madera 59th min) , A. Eonde
Online Reporter