The Sunday News
Harare Bureau
FC Platinum ……………………………………………….(1) 1
Ngezi Platinum …………………………………………. (0) 1
Ngezi Platinum fought relentlessly when they held determined FC Platinum at home denying the title chasers a chance to reclaim the top position on the log at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
The draw saw unruly FC Platinum fans throwing missiles at their players at the end of the match as they wanted to go and salute them. Some hooligans were even calling for the coaches’ head after the match and had to be addressed by the team chairman, Dumisani Chisale. There was also heavy police presence at the match venue.
“It’s disappointing. I take the blame, I failed to get a positive result but life goes on. Fans are angry because they wanted a win but we have to remain united. Ngezi scored because we lacked concentration after taking the lead. I will continue working hard and I still believe. We are not under pressure at all but this is part of football,” said coach Norman Mapeza. A goal from defender Kelvin Moyo in the 29th minute saw Mapeza’s side surging ahead. Partson Jaure equalised for the visitors in the 74th minute when he beat Petros Mhari.
Walter Musona who was a thorn in the flesh for the visiting team defenders was brought down outside the box and the impressive Harare referee Pedzisayi Chadya awarded the hosts a free kick. Free kick specialist for Pure Platinum Play, Musona unleashed a thunderbolt that was too hot to handle for goalkeeper Pedzisayi Chadya. He parried it onto the path of Moyo who had the easiest task of going past veteran Jaure before slotting the ball past a badly exposed Chadya.
Ngezi equalised in the 74th minute through a strike by Jaure. A cross from the right by Terrence Dzukamanja eluded the FC Platinum defenders and the unmarked Jaure had the easiest of tasks of beating the otherwise impressive Mhari.
Pure Platinum Play could have increased their tally in the 69th minute when Charles Sibanda sent an inviting cross into the area that eluded goalkeeper Chadya but Makai Kawashu missed the opportunity.
The miss saw the hard to please FC Platinum fans calling for his substitution but Mapeza ignored the calls. He later substituted Kawashu after Ngezi Platinum had equalised. George Mawere, the FC Platinum president and his executive had a busy week urging their technical team and players to forget about the setback and concentrate on the remaining matches.
Tonderayi Ndiraya was happy with the result. “It’s very difficult to play Platinum at Mandava. My boys did well after conceding a soft goal and I believe the double substitution paid off for us. I am very happy for the boys and our supporters,” he said.
The national team coach, Kallisto Pasuwa and his manager Gibson Mahachi who also takes care of Mapeza’s affairs were part of the crowd that watched the match.
