Yadah play ‘dirty’ to stun FC Platinum at home

Innocent Kurira at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane

FC Platinum 0
Yadah Stars  1

YADAH Stars had a game plan and they stuck to it.  Get one goal and defend it, and they did exactly that.

However, the recently signed Brazilian trio who were talk around the stadium before kick-off watched from the terraces as their new side registered a crucial victory over the Premier Soccer League champions.

Russell Chifura scored after 22 minutes of play and that was all the Miracle Boys needed to collect three points.  Chifura finished off a move that had been initiated by Garry Chipangura to slot home from inside the box.

From that moment, Yadah Stars turned into defensive mode and held on to the advantage till the end.  The hosts charged at Yadah Stars particularly in the second half but the visitors could not be breached.

Yadah frustrated the hosts by delaying play for the greater part of the second half, but one cannot not take away their ability to pass the ball around in some instances. Yadah coach Expense Chitukutuku defended his defensive approach after his side took the lead.

“The guys are continuing to play the way we want them to play. We played Ngezi and they played dirty and got three points. I cannot play smart and lose points. We had to play dirty to keep the goal. That’s football,” said Chitukutuku.

His opposite number Norman Mapeza did not speak much on the delaying tactics.
“It’s been happening for quite some time. It’s about us coaches to change those things. It’s what they wanted to do after getting the goal, what can l do? There is nothing l can do about that. This is my first defeat to them in all seasons. They did well, congratulations to them,” said Mapeza.

The first clear-cut chance in the game was created by Walter Musona after 16 minutes of play.
The reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Star of the year left two defenders for dead before squaring up a seater for Brian Banda who blazed over from close range.

Fifteen minutes later, Blessed Ndereki hacked down Musona on the edge of the box. Musona dusted himself up but failed to make the most of the chance which was easily blocked by the Yadah defence.

In the 35th minute, Yadah FC goalminder Panashe Nyabunga was well positioned to easily deal with a Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya header inside the box off a Kelvin Mangiza cross from the left.  Musona came close to equalising for FC Platinum with 10 minutes left but fired wide after he was fed by Panashe Mutimbanyoka.

 FC Platinum: 

W.Magalane, S. Zivanai (J.Selemani 73 mins), R.Pavari, N.Chinyerere, K.Mangiza, H. Magaya, J. Mutudza, B.Banda, O. Mutimbanyoka, W. Musona, T. Ngwenya ( O. Chikwende 52 mins)

Yadah FC:

P. Nyabunga, A. Gwatidzo, R. Chifura ( V. Sango 58 mins), B. Kadamanja (C.Mandivei 58 mins), L. Mucheto, C. Denhere (W.Kamudyariwa 40 mins), T. Chikumba, M. Mlilo, B. Ndereki, J. Chipangura (T.Juru 90 mins), Marvelous Farando
— @innocentskizoe