FC Platinum, Hwange share spoils
FC Platinum 1-1 Hwange HWANGE showed their battling prowess as they restricted a fired up FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Mandava yesterday.
Pure Platinum play got their goal from midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku in the 29th minute but the coalminers equalised through a penalty by veteran Gilbert Zulu in the 57th minute.
The hosts could probably consider the result as a case of two valuable points lost as the draw saw Caps United ease to within two points of them following their win over Tsholotsho at Luveve.
FC Platinum were firing from all cylinders with speed merchant Marshall Mudehwe causing all sorts of problems while Makai “Jecha’’ Kawashu had his effort from inside the box saved by Future Sibanda.
The rebound fell into the path of Mudehwe but his bloodied shot was parried away for a corner in the 30th minute.
Rodwell Chinyengetere then flighted a cross from the left that saw Masuku outjumping the Hwange defence and place his header into the far right corner of the nets with Sibanda on the other side of the action.
Mabelo Njekwa then introduced Craven Sibanda who changed the complexion of the game as Hwange made meaningful raids.
Hwange were however pumping long balls forwards and in one of their attacks in a bid to clear defender Kelvin Moyo handled under pressure and Kwekwe-based referee Thabani Bamala, who had a good afternoon awarded the visitors a penalty.
Veteran Gilbert Zulu took the responsibility and he directed his effort to the left, sending Petros Mhari the wrong way.
In their first meeting Hwange beat FC Platinum 2-1 at the Colliery.
FC Platinum could have won the match with half a dozen goals but the brilliance of goalkeeper Sibanda denied the visitors maximum points. It was Platinum against Sibanda from the first whistle. His best save was in the 57th minute. Kawashu was fed in the six yard box by substitute Walter Musona and came face to face with the goalkeeper but he directed his shot to the right and with fans anticipating a goal he dived full stretch to parry the ball for a corner which the hosts failed to utilise.
Musona shook his head in disbelief when thunderbolt in the 67th minute was saved by Sibanda.
Following the miss Hwange could have increased their tally in the 71st minute when Mhango tipped over the bar a stinger from Craven Banda.
The coalminers who were blowing hot were not finished as another pass in the area from Banda saw Zulu’s shot tipped over the bar by Mhango for a corner which again they failed to utilise.
It was one match the platinum miners could have easily won but it was not just their day. “If you don’t score goals it’s difficult to win games. We got opportunities in the first half. It’s a point I can’t complain much.
“We are missing chances, creating maximum of clear cut chances. We have to convert the chances we create. We have to continue working from this performance and see how it goes,” said Mapeza.
“I’m very happy to collect four points from FC Platinum. The game is played in two halves.
“The had their half and we had ours in the second half, In modern football you have to score the chances you create. They missed a lot of chances. We came here but with a plan for them and we never played under pressure” said Njekwa. his