Thriller at Mandava

From Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum………………………………..(2) 2
CAPS United……………………………….(2) 2
THERE was no winner in this four-goal Castle Lager Premiership thriller as CAPS United and FC Platinum settled for a share of the spoils at Mandava yesterday.

But after exciting their fans with goals in the first half the two sides could not add to their tallies in a see-saw affair that saw the hosts taking the lead before CAPS United leveled and threatened to go into the break leading only for FC Platinum to beat the half-time whistle by fighting back.

Warriors forward Charles Sibanda gave new coach Lloyd Mutasa just the kind of start he had been hoping for in his first home game in charge of the miners when he thrust FC Platinum into the lead in the 13th minute.

But a three goal blitz involving both teams inside the last five minutes of the opening half meant that Mutasa’s  early celebrations were cut short as CAPS United fought their way to draw level through skipper Tapiwa Kumbuyani in the 40th minute.

Two minutes later the game turned into CAPS United’s favour when midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira shot them in front for the first time on the afternoon.

That lead however lasted just two minutes as FC Platinum came charging again with Donald Ngoma beating Warriors goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube to bring the hosts back into contention.

If the drama in the first half produced goals on either end, there was no repeat of that feat in the second stanza as the match gradually fizzled out into a draw which both coaches Taurai Mangwiro for CAPS United and Mutasa would probably on reflection realise was a fair result.

In getting their opener FC Platinum were awarded a penalty  in the 13th minute after CAPS United centre back Arnold Chivheya handled under pressure and a well-positioned Mutare referee Brighton Chimene pointed to the spot.

Sibanda held his nerve to send Dube the wrong way. The visitors then got a golden opportunity to equalise seven minutes later when Dominic Chungwa, recently called to the Warriors, sent an inch perfect pass but Tawanda Nyamandwe  shot weakly into the waiting arms of goalkeeper  Petros Mhari.

Despite being a goal down, CAPS United were playing some good football that appeared to have been plucked from a text book and it became a matter of when not if they could find an equaliser.

That goal indeed arrived in the 40th minute through Kumbuyani .
Makepekepe won a free kick  on the left flank, which  saw  Ronald Pfumbidzayi sending a scorcher into the box that  his captain Kumbuyani got to the end of and turned it in past Mhari.

CAPS United then got into the driving seat just two minutes after Kumbuyani had brought them level.
Nyamandwe who had a rather quite game by his standards won possession on the right and curled in a beauty that former Highlanders striker Rahman Kutsanzira directed past Mhari. Kutsanzira has been struggling to find the target this season and seemed to have been overcome by emotion when scored yesterday, racing to the bench to embrace  Mangwiro probably for keeping faith in him.

But the former Highlanders man saw his club celebrating his goal for just two minutes.
This is because FC Platinum immediately hit back through Ngoma who found the target with an overhead kick off a headed pass from Zambian Obrey Chirwa.

Benson Maglasi who was the toast of the afternoon for CAPS United dribbled past a cluster of defenders and when he  got into the FC Platinum box he  weaved his way past Thabani Kamusoko.

Kamusoko appeared to nudge into Maglasi but it was the CAPS United forward who was surprisingly booked for simulation.
Zimbabwe international right back Hardlife Zvirekwi who was introduced as a substitute nearly had his name on the score sheet when he sent a  powerful free kick from 22 metres out but an alert Mhari did well to block the effort and allowed his defenders to eventually clear their lines.

Mutasa who took over from Zambian Tennant Chilumba was left to settle for a point in his second league game and third overall in charge of the miners.

The former Kiglon and Dynamos coach also blamed lack of concentration for the two quick goals they conceded in the first half.
“We have played three matches and the players are still to gel and very soon they will be coming to the party.

“We conceded two silly goals when our defence went to sleep. This is however just the beginning of better things to come,” said Mutasa.
Mangwiro was not amused with the fact that his striker Maglasi was booked for simulation when his team were appealing for a penalty.

“We felt we were going to get a decision when Maglasi was brought down but the referee felt otherwise but we however handled that well. We played brilliantly and we are going to make sure we utilise the chances  we create in our next game,’’ Mangwiro said.

The CAPS United coach would also draw satisfaction from the fact that the Green Machine have shown a lot of character this season grind out points on the road and turning on the power when at home at the National Sports Stadium where only bitter city rivals Dynamos have beaten them this season.

TEAMS:
FC Platinum Mhari, D Veremu, E Moyo, R Muduviwa,T Kamusoko, K Moyo,W Mhango (M Mudehwe 46th ),J Ngodzo  (M Katsvairo 57th ),O Chirwa (W Ndiweni 69th ), D Ngoma, C Sibanda
CAPS United:T Dube,T Kumbuyani, R Pfumbidzai, A Chiveya,T Munyanduri, D Mukandi, B Maglasi (H Zvirekwi 67th ),R Kutsanzira, D Chungwa, M Muchenje,T Nyamandwe (L Fiyado 75th )