Selemani shines in Platinum derby

Don Makanyanga in ZVISHAVANE

FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (1) 1

Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . . .  0

DEFENDING champions FC Platinum roared back to within touching distance of the log leaders when they collected maximum points from their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League derby with Ngezi Platinum Stars at Mandava Stadium yesterday.

A second-minute strike by FC Platinum man-of-the-moment Jarrison Selemani proved priceless as it ensured the champions moved to second position and five points behind Ngezi. It was the fifth straight win for Norman Mapeza’s men, underlining their resurgence as the championship marathon canters towards its business end.

Selemani’s winner also ended Ngezi’s four-match winning streak and blew the title race wide open.

Mapeza lauded his players for showing character.

“Ngezi Platinum Stars came in with their game plan and it was not an easy game for us, but what we are happy with is that we managed to grind a result and collected maximum points. This is a massive result for us going forward,” Mapeza said.

The reigning Coach of the Year believes the title race is still too close to call.

“The games are still on and I do not want to say this one (team) has any advantage. To us, the race is still open and us, as FC Platinum, are concentrating on our remaining matches.”

It was also the first time that Takesure Chiragwi fell to FC Platinum since taking over as Ngezi coach.

“We had an early setback and we tried what we tried, and on a good day, we could have won this match, but you have to accept that some days are not your days and today (yesterday) was not ours,” he said.

In scoring the winner, Selemani, who seems to have found his form, connected with a Nomore Chinyerere free-kick.

Thereafter, it became a tense midfield battle between the two sides, with a few goal-scoring opportunities being created on either end in the first period.

Ngezi were a better side going forward, leaving FC Platinum to rely on counter-attacks. The hosts were unlucky not to grab a second before the break as they wasted a golden opportunity on the stroke of half-time.

Walter Musona beat his markers inside the Ngezi box but, instead of going for goal, he opted to pass the responsibility to Selemani, who saw his effort thwarted by Nelson Chadya.

FC Platinum were also quick off the blocks after resumption, with Brian Banda forcing Chadya to make another fine save in the 47th minute.

After absorbing a 10-minute blitz, Ngezi launched a counter-raid of their own and had a good chance to level terms from a set-piece.

Qadr Amini whipped in a cross to Farai Madhanhaga, whose header missed the target by a few inches.

In the 65th minute, Musona failed to beat Chadya from a one-on-one situation, while Amin had a chance to also draw the visitors level in the 79th minute when the Ngezi skipper received a pass from Marvelous Mukumba on the edge of the box but shot high. Chadya also ensured Ngezi did not fall further behind when he brilliantly stopped Juan Mutudza’s attempt in the 75th minute.