The Sunday News
Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum ………….. 0
Harare City ……………. 0
NORMAN Mapeza was left walking tall after FC Platinum were held by visiting Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer league match that was full of flowing football at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane yesterday.
“I am proud that Harare City came here to play football and also the fans enjoyed football this afternoon. This is what we expect to see in our league. I knew that one day we were going to draw. We can even lose three games and that is football,’’ said Mapeza.
“I am impressed that we played very well in all departments and had we managed to bury the chances that came our way it could have been a different story but the bottom line is I am happy.”
Mapeza is enjoying his place in the sun since May last year, a period he has not lost a league match.
Platinum could have opened the score sheet as early as the 12th minute when Musona deceived his marker, Themba Ndlovu and sent a cross in the box to unmarked Hilary Bakacheza.
The former Triangle player was, however, unlucky as he failed to control the ball allowing Tafadzwa Dube to collect it from danger.
Harare City’s Farai Madhananga could have found his name on the score sheet in the 37th minute but his goal bound shot was blocked by defender Kelvin Moyo. Walter Musona who gave City defence a torrid time then dribbled past defender Ndlovu but his effort at goal missed the target by inches.
FC Platinum goalkeeper Petros Mhari who was impressive the whole match was called to make a suicidal save when he went airborne to save Raphael Manuvire a bloodied shot with their travelling fans already at the edge of their seats.
Rodwell Chinyengetere then threaded a pass to Musona, who responded with a stinger that veteran City goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube did well to block back into play and his alert defence cleared the ball.
Kudakwashe Kumwala shook his head in disbelief when he was sent through by Madhanhanga but Mhari was once again the stumbling block in the 68th minute.
Platinum and Harare City did every trick in the book to get a goal but were denied by either good goalkeeping or some resolute defending from either side.
“I am happy that for the first time we collected a point away from home this season failed to bury the chances that came our way but the bottom line is I am very impressed,” said City coach Taurai Mangwiro.
