The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube and Dumisani Nsingo, Sports Reporters
VISITING FC Platinum rued a missed penalty in the second half as they settled for their fourth draw this season when they took on How Mine in an evenly contested Castle Lager Premier League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The match kicked off 22 minutes late following a glitch with broadcaster, Supersport’s generator as the game was being beamed live on S9. Despite getting a good start and dominating possession, the visitors failed to create any clear cut chances in the early stages of the game and it was How Mine who came close to taking the lead in the first half on several occassions.
Promising youngster, Adolf Muganyi exchanged passes with Kuda Musharu in the 20th minute before crossing the ball into the box from the right flank with Marvelous Mukumba setting up Musharu who, however, hit the crossbar. FC Platinum’s striker, Gift Mbweti could have put his name on the score sheet in the 35th minute when he received the ball inside the box unmarked from Charles Sibanda but his weak shot went straight to Munyaradzi Diya, How Mine’s goal minder for the day.
The platinum miners came back a rejuvenated side in the second half and had better chances but found Diya at his best making several saves including stopping a spot kick in the 58th minute. How Mine’s Praise Tonha brought down Mbweti, who was a thorn in the flesh for the home side in the 57th minute and referee, Norman Matemera pointed to the spot but Rodwell Chinyengetere was denied by Diya. A scramble in the the box in the 61st minute saw FC Platinum’s midfielder, Gerald Takwara hit the post.
In the second match of the day at Barbourfields, Black Rhinos beat Bulawayo City by a goal to nil. Rhinos got the all important goal from a spot kick that was converted by goalkeeper Herbert Rusawo early in the second half. The match, played after the How Mine and Platinum FC encounter was a drab affair as both sides failed to play purposeful football in the first half. It was Rhinos who threatened the host’s goal when towering Sydney Linyama ghosted behind Bulawayo City’s rearguard to meet a freekick by Milton Kureva outside the 18 yard box but his looping shot in the 7th minute was easily collected by goalkeeper Aron Ngwenya.
However, Bulawayo City could have found the opener against the run of play five minutes later when Trevor Ndlovu set up his striking partner Mkhululi Moyo with a clever back heel pass inside their opponents’ half. Moyo made a spirited charge at Rhinos’ goal and squared the ball back to Ndlovu whose first time shot was parried for a corner by an alert Rusawo.
The second half started lively but before City could settle rightback Morris Kadzola was adjudged by impressive referee Nomore Musundire to have fouled Donald Mudadi as he went for the kill in the 48th minute. Up stepped Rusawo to send his opposite number the wrong way.
