The Sunday News
Langton Nyakwenda
FC Platinum…………………………………………………………….(0)1
Black Rhinos………………………………………………………………..0
STARLET Walter Musona continued with his fine scoring form as his solitary strike powered red hot FC Platinum into the Chibuku Super Cup final at the expense of a battling Black Rhinos at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Musona, who was also on target last Saturday when FC Platinum beat Harare City 2-0 in a league match at the same venue, headed home a fine cross from substitute Donald “Dombo” Ngoma in the 73rd minute.
The youngster, who spent most of the afternoon being told to concentrate and fight harder by hands-on coach Norman Mapeza, was over the moon after heading his side into the final where they will meet either Highlanders or Harare City who clash at the same venue this afternoon.
“I am very elated, it is every player’s dream to score in these crucial matches and it is something that will boost my confidence as we approach the final games of the season. The coach has been on my case over the past few weeks insisting I should work harder and I can see it is now paying off,” said Musona.
Prior to his goal the forward had been FC Platinum’s chief culprit as he twice failed to find the net in front of an inviting goal in a first half the miners largely dominated.
Black Rhinos did not go down without a fight and had their own chances especially in the first half.
The hard running Lot Chiunga had the best chance for the army side right at the death of the first stanza but he somehow skied his effort after finding himself at the end of a Brian Muzondiwa’s square ball.
The 22-year-old Muzondiwa was in mesmerising form, proving too hot to handle for the FC Platinum backline.
Sadly his efforts were in vain.
Mapeza, who was mobbed by delirious FC Platinum fans as he drove out of Rufaro, reckoned yesterday’s win was due reward for the hard work his charges were putting in at training.
“It is good we managed to win, it is a reward for the hard work we have been putting in over the last two months. It was always my dream to guide this team into the final and I am looking forward to the day.
“The boys played according to instruction, for some it was their first time playing at this stage but I am happy they managed to hold their own,” he said.
Black Rhinos coach Jostein Mathuthu blamed his keeper Samuel Mafukidze for the goal and said his team would now concentrate on fighting relegation.
“That was a silly mistake, the keeper was supposed to intercept that cross but such is football. It is good we reached this stage but now that we are out, we shift focus to the final league games,” he said.
Meanwhile, Premier Soccer League officials Rodwell Thabe and Elisha Mandireva proved to be a hindrance at the gates as they delayed, and in some cases barred, journalists from entering the stadium.
Premiership coaches were not spared either while Zifa technical adviser Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe had to go through some “interrogation” before being given access.
Teams
FC Platinum
: P. Mhari, R. Muduviwa, G. Bello, K. Moyo, E. Moyo, O. Chirwa, W. Mutasa (S. Shoko 89 mins), T. Kamusoko, W. Musona, T. Dzumbunu (A. Gahadzikwa 65 mins), B. Marere (D. Ngoma 67 mins)
Black Rhinos:
S. Mafukidze, S. Choenda, M. Kureva, S. Jimu, B. Homora, W. Kapinda (D. Mbewe 83 mins), R. Machaya, S. Matsangaise, L. Chiunga, B. Muzondiwa, N. Padzarondora (L. Saramaya 78 mins).
