The Sunday News
Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Beira, Mozambique
UD Songo 2-4 FC Platinum
(FC Platinum advance 5-2 on aggregate)
YOU simply had to be here to believe this movie-like script after FC Platinum went on a second-half rampage to totally annihilate hosts UD Songo and boot them out of the Total Caf Champions League in front of their fans at the Estadio Feraviaro de Beira yesterday.
Down 2,0 inside 26 minutes and for the entire first half, the Zimbabwean champions came back from the breather a completely changed outfit as they terrorised their hosts in search of what would then have been an all important away goal. Their travelling sets of fans were ejected from their seats in the 52nd minutes through a flashing header by hat-trick hero Rodwell Chinyengetere off an inviting cross from the right by Gift Mbweti. From then, the slow but sure death of the Mozambicans was in process.
Workaholic Never Tigere, who ran himself to a standstill before he was taken out towards the end of the match, pulled the Zimbabweans level on the day and 3,2 up on aggregate with a goal of individual brilliance after he outpaced his markers and slotted the ball behind a drawn out Leonel Pendula, in goal for the hosts.
Panic gripped UD Songo who now needed to score two clear goals without reply and that saw them make three quick substitutions, the first a clear result of home fans’ power after they pressured their bench to make a change.
However, it was instead FC Platinum who took a match day lead through Chinyengetere, who had come in for an injured Rahman Kutsanzira in the first half. The reigning Soccer Star of the Year intercepted a poor pass from the hosts’ defence, charged forward and in the process allowed Pendula to come out and with the coolness of a veteran, slotted the ball home.
Deep in injury time, Mbweti found himself in possession inside the box and as he zigzagged his way past his marker, he was crudely brought down, leaving referee Bernard Camille with no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Chinyengetere to send the goalkeeper the wrong and confirm FC Platinum’s passage to the lucrative mini league phase.
An elated Lizwe Sweswe, in charge of the Zvishavane side’s dressing room praised his charges for sticking to the game plan and never panicking even when down two nil.
“It’s a great win indeed, the script went according to plan even though it was unfortunate that we conceded two goals in the first-half. We however, kept our game plan and that paid dividends,” said Sweswe.
UD Songo: Leonel Mario Pendula, Frank Banda, John Banda, Infren Matola, Candido Mathe (Mario Sinamanda 68th min) Luis Miquissone, Hermenegildo Mutambe, Pascoal Carlos, Stelio Ernesto, Antonio Chirinda (Amade Momade 71st mins), Cremildo Nhantumbo (Pachoio King 65th mins)
Subs: Aurio Nharreluga, Bheu Januario, Mucuape Tembe, Jose Gui
FC Platinum: Petros Mhari, William Stima, Gift Bello, Lawrence Mhlanga, Kelvin Madzongwe, Never Tigere (Devon Chafa 86th mins), Rahman Kutsanzira (Rowell Chinyengetere 24thmins), Rainsom Pavari, Raphael Muduviwa, Gift Mbweti, Perfect Chikwende (Tawana Chikore 90+3mins)
Subs: Mkhokheli Dube, Charles Sibanda, Lameck Nhamo, Francis Tizayi
