The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
Bulawayo Chiefs …………………….. (0) 0
FC Platinum ……………….……….. (0) 3
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League log anchors, Bulawayo Chiefs were their own worst enemy as they gifted an insipid FC Platinum two crucial goals that saw the defending champions ultimately claim victory at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
The victory saw the champions shooting to the top of the log. The home side also failed to convert a penalty that could have seen them claw back into the match in the 69th minute.
Chiefs were the better of the two sides in the first half, creating better scoring chances than the defending champions but their goalkeeper, David Bizabani made two school boy blunders that saw Platinum take a 2-0 lead within a space of three minutes after the start of the second stanza.
Bizabani moved off his line as he charged outside the goal area to clear an aerial ball that seemed harmless and could have been easily cleared but he made a stylish kick that saw him miscue and miss the ball, leaving an advancing Albert Eonde to slot the ball into an empty net in the 46th minute.
When Chiefs fans thought they could salvage the game and still get a point or three, two minutes later Bizabani fumbled on a back pass which saw him lose the ball to Eonde, who again slotted into an empty, securing his brace. Substitute Never Tigere hit the final nail into the coffin when his sleek free kick nestled into the top right corner of the nets, beating Bizabani.
Chiefs had a better first half creating more chances with FC Platinum failing to come up with any clear cut opportunities upfront as they were blunt.
The second half was equally a balanced affair with Chiefs prodding for goal but the two howlers weighed them down.
FC Platinum’s Kevin Moyo handled inside the box as Farau Matare shot at goal and match official, Hardly Ndazi pointed to the spot but Platinum’s goal minder, Francis Tizayi blocked Arthur Musiyiwa’s effort in the 69th minute. Tizayi also snatched Musiyiwa’s rebound header ensuring the defending champions keep a clean sheet.
FC Platinum finished with 10-man after defender, Lawrence Mhlanga, who came in as a substitute in the 59th minute, was given his marching orders by Ndazi after showing him a second yellow card in the 80th minute, ostensibly for time wasting.
Chiefs coach, Farai Tawachera expressed disappointment with how they conceded two goals through mistakes of their own making.
“It is very disappointing the way we gifted them the game. We played well throughout the game and tactically, I think we were there and matched them but I don’t know what happened to us to give away those goals.
“It is more painful that they (FC Platinum) never worked for those goals but they were of our own making. Again we couldn’t score the penalty which maybe could have given us a chance to get back into the game,” he said.
FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza admitted they were blunt in the final third adding they will be forced to make additions to their squad during the mid-season transfer window.
“Those blunders gifted us those goals but we were not creative in the final third, we could not come up with the chances despite being able to play well at the back and in midfield.
“Lack of creativity upfront has been a worry for me and I guess we will have to look for new personnel during the mid-season window. Maybe we are now working with tired legs and need to find fresh ideas and fresh legs,” he said.
Teams
Chiefs: D Bizabani, B Mpofu, P Sibanda, M Mkolo, S Dube, T Muzuva ( Dube 46 mins), A Musiyiwa, S Nyahwa, T Dhliwayo (Majika 85 mins), K Chakanyuka (Zvakavapano 67 mins), F Matare.
FC Platinum: F Tizayi, G Mbweti, G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo, K Madzongwe, F Madhanaga, D Chafa, R Kutsanzira (N Tigere 90 mins), P Chikwende (Mhlanga 59 mins), A Eonde.
