The Sunday News
Fatima Bulla in Zvishavane
FC Platinum………………..0
Dynamos……………………..0CHAMPIONS Dynamos and FC Platinum traded blows but neither team could land a decisive punch as this intensely fought out Castle Premier Soccer League clash ended in a stalemate at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
FC Platinum had the better start with their mobile midfield of Thabani Kamusoko, Walter Musona, Wisdom Mutasa and Tatenda Dzumbunu dictating the pace.
Kamusoko tested Artwell Mukandi with a powerful free kick early on but the Dynamos goalminder, who appears to be getting better with each outing since taking over the number one jersey in mid-season, was more that equal to the task.
Obrey Chirwa, who tormented Caps United over the past two weekends, headed over after being set up by an in swinging Elvis Moyo cross before Donald Ngoma shot tamely at an exposed Mukandi as the home side attacked from all angles.
DeMbare were lucky not to have conceded a penalty on 24 minutes after their central defender Augustine Mbara hacked down a charging Chirwa inside the box.
Referee Mlindeli Ndebele waved play on much to the chagrin of FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza and the home team’s supporters.
The introduction of Devon Chafa, for the injured Tafadzwa Rusike, at the start of the second half saw DeMbare beginning to ask questions at an FC Platinum defence that had spent the entire first stanza on vacation.
Chafa slotted in the heart of midfield with Muparati, who was making a rare start following an injury ravaged season, shunted to the left.
The reigning Soccer Star of the Year was off colour as he struggled with basic things such as ball control and passing.
Were it not for injuries Muparati would have been the first player to be hauled off by coach Callisto Pasuwa.
However, with Simba Sithole and Tafadzwa Rusike limping off the midfielder continued with his uninspiring show.
Despite being a man short, thanks to the anonymous Muparati, Dynamos got into the groove with Stephen Alimenda’s speculative shot going wide while Washington Pakamisa, who replaced Sithole towards the end of the first half, failed to beat an outdrawn Petros Mhari on 55 minutes.
A neat and swift exchange of passes between Ronald Chitiyo and Rodrick Mutuma ushered Pakamisa into a face to face situation with the FC Platinum skipper but the striker shot weakly.
Blessing Moyo’s long range shot went wide as DeMbare began to get out of their shell while Mapeza and his side desperately searched for answers.
Pakamisa drew a good save from Mhari just after the hour mark with a stinging shot which the FC Platinum goalie did well to gather first time.
At the other end Wisdom Mutasa’s effort was cleared for a corner after DeMbare were caught on the counter attack.
Mapeza felt his charges should have won the tie.
“We played well and could have collected maximum points with better finishing,” he said.
Pasuwa sang from the same page.
“It was a game of two halves, in the first half we were always second to the ball hence the introduction of Devon Chafa who did well. We did better in the second half but could not utilise the chances that came our way,” said the Dynamos coach.
Teams
FC Platinum: P Mhari, R Muduviwa, E Moyo, G Bello, N Moyo, T Kamusoko, D Ngoma (T Rukanda 70 mins) , T Dzumbunu (S Shoko (76 mins), W Mutasa, O Chirwa (A Mukwenya 89 mins), W Musona
Dynamos: A Mukandi, B Moyo, T Magorimbo, A Mbara, E Muroiwa, S Alimenda, R Chitiyo, T Muparati, T Rusike (D Chafa 46 mins), R Mutuma (A Gondo 75 mins), S Sithole (W Pakamisa 44 mins).
