Online Reporter
Innocent KURIRA at Mandava Stadium
A SINGLE moment of individual brilliance from substitute Jerrison Selemani was enough to hand FC Platinum a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Highlanders in a tense Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at Mandava Stadium.
The decisive strike came in the 70th minute when Selemani, having just come on in the second half, unleashed a thunderous long-range effort that caught Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda off guard. The ball curled into the net, sending the home fans into raptures and securing three vital points for the hosts.
Before Selemani’s magic, the match had been a cagey affair. FC Platinum threatened early, with midfielder Oscar Bhebhe showing composure and vision to release Claivert Tshuma down the right flank. Tshuma’s dangerous crosses found Devine Mhindirira in the box, but he could not connect cleanly. Tshuma continued to trouble Highlanders’ defence, forcing Sibanda into alert saves on more than one occasion.
Highlanders were not without their chances. In the 15th minute, a teasing corner from Marvin Sibanda caused panic in the box, but Platinum goalkeeper David Bizabani reacted sharply to punch clear. Later, Melikhaya Ncube unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area, only to be denied by a heroic sliding block from Shepard Mhlanga.
The match also featured drama on the sidelines. Highlanders coach Pieter De Jongh frequently voiced his frustration over refereeing decisions, earning a yellow card in the 56th minute for his protests.
The second half saw both sides push for a breakthrough. FC Platinum’s Hagiazo Magaya forced Sibanda into a sharp near-post save early on, while Highlanders responded with Marvin Sibanda firing narrowly over the bar. James Nguluve later missed a golden chance, only for Selemani to turn the game on its head with his audacious strike.
Highlanders threw numbers forward in the final minutes, even pushing central defender Brian Mlotshwa into attack, but Platinum’s defence held firm to seal a narrow yet crucial win.
FC Platinum now climb closer to the top-four, while Highlanders must regroup ahead of their next outing.
