The Sunday News
Sports Reporters
FC Platinum (Zimbabwe)………… (1) 2
Sofapaka (Kenya)… …………………. (1) 1
(FC Platinum go through on 4-2 aggregate)
THE country’s representatives in the Orange Confederations Cup FC Platinum overcame an early goal scare to beat Kenyan side Sofapaka in a preliminary round second leg tie played at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane yesterday afternoon. The win gave the Zvishavane based side a 4-2 aggregate win after they won by a similar margin in the first leg away leg in Kenya two weeks ago.
FC Platinum are set to face Tanzanian side Young Africans in the first round. The first leg is scheduled for the weekend of 13-15 March.
The platinum miners coach Norman Mapeza said there was a need for his side to prepare adequately for another East African challenge as the Tanzanian opposition had a reputation of playing “good football.’’
Young Africans booked a berth to the first round after accounting for Botswana Defence Forces, whom they dispatched 3-2 on aggregate over two legs.
Coming into yesterday’s encounter with a 2-1 aggregate lead FC Platinum were expected to make light work of the East Africans but Sofapaka’s goal in the fifth minute, through Fiston Abdoul caused anxious moments for the home side.
However, FC Platinum were on level terms 10 minutes later thanks to a goal from young forward Wisdom Mutasa.
The goal gave Kugona Kunenge Kudada breathing space and they were back in the game in a half that was rich of entertaining football from both teams.
The young Mutasa, son to former coach at the club Lloyd, sealed the passage to the first round for the miners with a strike in the 55th minute, thanks to impressive wing play, a trademark of impressive coach Mapeza. Mutasa made use of the industry of another promising youngster Walter Musona on the right flank.
The visitors, however, did not sit back, as they gave it their all, taking the game to the hosts, retaining possession for the better part of the second half, creating several chances particularly in the last eight minutes of the match. They failed to convert their chances so was FC Platinum with the chief culprit being Obey Chirwa, who had come in for Mutasa, late in the second half.
Mapeza admitted that with more precision Sofapaka could have netted in four goals but said the visitors were tired towards the closing stage of the game.
“Although they got an early goal, we managed to stick to our plan of keeping possession and by the time they were dominating us they were tired and this made their accuracy upfront falter.
“I think it was the same situation that happened in Kenya where we let in a soft goal but we never gave in despite the early goal and after leveling the scores we managed to take the lead with the second goal.
“I am happy with the way the boys played as they came in as a unit and managed to keep possession in crucial stages, something I emphasised on during the break,” he said.
Sofapaka coach Sam Timbe said it was a tough game adding FC Platinum was a good side.
He said although the first goal gave them hope it was not enough to inspire them to a win as they were facing tough opponents.
In the first leg in Kenya, Donald Ngoma and Brian Muzondiwa’s goals gave FC Platinum the victory while Abdoul gave Sofapaka the consolation.
