The Sunday News
Harare Bureau
FC Platinum ……………………………….(1) 2
Chapungu ……………………………………. 0
NORMAN Mapeza yesterday gave a run to some players who had grown accustomed to warming the bench and he walked out of Mandava all smiles after FC Platinum booked their place in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter- finals.
Goals from Winston Mhango and Charles Sibanda were enough to down a Chapungu side that came into the match on a high after dismissing Harare City in the last encounter.
With probably one eye on league title race Mapeza rested some of his regulars and gave rare starts to the enterprising Wellington Kamudyariwa, Gerald Takwara, Hilary Bakacheza and Brian Muzondiwa.
Pure Platinum bossed the opening exchanges and Walter Musona was denied a chance to thrust his team into the lead by an alert Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi on 30 minutes.
Having defended resolutely for most of the first half the visitors gifted the home team a chance to surge ahead on 45 minutes, defender Blessing Zabula handling inside the box.
Bulawayo referee Philani Ncube duly pointed to the spot.
Mhango, a consistent performer for FC Platinum this season, took responsibility and made no mistake.
The FC Platinum midfielder could have doubled the tally in the 70th minute but he skied a hotly disputed penalty.
Ncube surprisingly pointed to the spot during an aerial tussle for possession inside the Chapungu box.
Play was briefly stopped as police moved in to calm the situation.When order was restored Mhango directed the ball into the stands.
However, Sibanda then put the game beyond Chapungu’s reach when he scored his first goal for FC Platinum since his return to the Zvishavane side during the mid-season transfer window.
Mapeza praised his boys for a workman like performance.
“I applaud my players for working hard and I will not single any one of them but the whole team played so well.
“Charles finally scored and it’s his job to do so. We never gave him pressure for we knew he would score. We now wait for the quarter-final draw and just to clear things up please note we are not chasing a double because we are not yet in the Chibuku final,” said Mapeza.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino said his team will now focus on finishing the season in a respectable position.
“I would like to congratulate FC Platinum for qualifying for the quarter-finals. I will not comment on the two penalties because it is the referees’ job to officiate and they are qualified to do so,” he said.
Teams
FC Platinum: P Mhari, K Moyo, E Moyo, G Bello, I Nekati, W Mhango, W Kamudyariwa (R Chinyengetere 79th), G Takwara, B Muzondiwa (C Sibanda 66th), H Bakacheza (I Wadi 85th),W Musona
Chapungu: R Mazingi, J Mabugu (P Marufu 50th ),C Mativenga, B Mbavarira, B Zabula, M Muchangami, C Kwaramba, J Mukombwe, A Peperere, X Ncube (T Mangwendere 87th), A Tavarwisa (A Marime 50th)
