The Sunday News
Patrick Chitumba in Zvishavane
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
DEFENDING Premier Soccer League Champions FC Platinum and Harare giants Dynamos settled for a share of spoils after a pulsating goalless draw at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane yesterday.
In what was a lunchtime kick-off, Harare giants Dynamos started the match showing hunger for maximum points, with Evans Katema coming near to scoring as early as the second minute.
The former Zambia’s Zanaco forward, Katema, found space in the box to connect a delightful cross that had been whipped in by Nigerian Emmanuel Paga, only to be denied by goalie Petros Mhari, who was quick to react.
Moments later, the platinum miners responded in a quick and swift attack that had Brian Banda on the forefront, but his teammates could not complete his effort, with Gift Mbweti striking the ball over the bar.
Without a doubt, Dynamos were dominant and their captain Patson Jaure almost scored in the 23rd minute when he charged ahead of the FC Platinum defenders in a counter attack to receive a pin-point pass from Ralph Kawondera, but his low shot did not trouble goalkeeper Mhari. Kawondera, who was facing his former pay masters also had a crack at goal but was denied by Mhari in the 56th minute.
FC Platinum Teenager Oscar Bhebhe also wasted a goal scoring opportunity from inside the 18 area after failing to make a perfect shot with Dynamos goalkeeper Taimon Mvula a beaten man. As a result the game went to the break with both teams tied at 0-0, and there was not much to change the score line in the second half, with both sides lacking the cutting edge especially in the final third.
At one moment the referee Prince Matutu was forced to stop the match for four minutes following a nasty fight in the grandstands, between Dynamos and FC Platinum’s supporters. However, after the crowd trouble, FC Platinum got what was their best chance of the day, when Bhebhe found Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya unmarked in the box, but the latter blasted his effort over the bar.
The two teenage boys Ngwenya and Bhebhe were to engage in exchanges again in the 80th minute only for Bhebhe to shoot off target with goalkeeper Mvula a beaten man.
After the match Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya said the result was satisfactory, adding that his new signings have made his team better than last season. Ndiraya started the match with five new players in the team, that is Kawondera, Emmanuel Paga, Evans Katema, Keith Murera and Brandon Mpofu. Another newcomer Issa Sadiki was introduced in the second half for Katema.
“I am happy with this performance. Now this is a different Dynamos you have seen. The team is at its best probably for the first time in many years. You cannot predict anything from us. When you play away, naturally there is an idea of playing defensive football. Honestly I was very cautious, I wanted the team to defend but they turned a gear up and were offensive throughout the match,” said Ndiraya.
He said his team created several scoring chances.
“You look at our first chance that we got through Evans Katema, then that one by Jaure, you name them. We were so good that our goalkeeper made one save, that shows a lot about our character. We have been at the receiving end of them in recent times but we are slowly changing the script. Last time we won and this time we take a point going home which makes me happy as the coach,” said Ndiraya.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza said he was pleased with the result.
“The result was fair as far as I am concerned. We could have done better but we did not get as many chances today because we are still trying to have our solidity back, with new players, most of them young, coming to join the team,” Mapeza said.
He added that his team still has more room for improvement.
“We lost the first match (last week) since coming from the break and this should be a good starting point as we go forward,” he said.
FC Platinum: P Mhari, G Mbweti, W Stima, G Bello, K Mangiza, R Pavari, J Mutudza, B Banda, P Mutimbanyoka (W Musona 71’), O Bhebhe, T Ngwenya ( O Abubakar 79’)
Dynamos: T Mvula, E Jalai, F Makarati, P Jaure, K Murera, S Nyahwa, R Kawondera (G Murwira 86’) , E Katema (I Sadiki 80’), E Paga, B Antonio
