Pure Platinum misses

Yadah FC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 1 Ngezi Platinum Stars. . . . . . (0) 0 NGEZI Platinum Stars’ brilliant start to the season was yesterday halted by Premiership newcomers Yadah Stars, who maintained their own fairytale start to the big time.

A brilliant Brian Chikwenya freekick that curled delightfully into Nelson Chadya’s goal with 14 minutes on the clock was all the hosts needed to halt a three-match winning streak by the visitors at the National Sports Stadium.

Tonderai Ndiraya described it as the worst performance ever by his team while, for the umpteenth time, the hosts coach Jairos Tapera credited victory to team president Prophet Walter Magaya, who is the club’s “heavenly qualified” technical advisor. Bulawayo City . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1 FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 1 CHARLES SIBANDA scored the fastest goal of the season but early season Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title favourites FC Platinum failed to build on that storming start to draw against Bulawayo City at Barbourfields yesterday.

Sibanda curled home a free kick in the first minute after Marshal Mudehwe was fouled on the edge of the box.

The visitors went on to dominate play but fluffed several chances before Bulawayo City’s Mkhululi Moyo chipped the ball over FC Platinum keeper Petros Mhari to restore parity on 69 minutes.

FC Platinum went into the match on the back of two straight wins over

“I am very happy for the boys and also I am very happy for my prophet,” said Tapera after the match. “He is a man who has always been with us and all week he was there giving us all the support and I am very happy for him.

“I think with these results we have gotten so far we cannot start dreaming big but for now I think we have to take it game by game.”

A lot was expected from the platinum miners going into the match on the back of three league wins in three outings.

However, they were frustrated by an organised Yadah side who gave them very little room.

On the occasions that Ngezi Platinum managed to breach the Yadah defence, veteran ‘keeper Tafadzwa Dube was on hand to save the day for the Castle Premier Soccer League debutants.

While Tapera praised Ngezi for the Dynamos and Bantu Rovers but Norman Mapeza’s machine came unstuck against a side that is looking decent under the guidance of former Young Warriors gaffer Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu.

The Pure Platinum Play coach reckoned his team paid dearly for failing to convert their chances.

“We created the chances but we made poor decisions. I think it’s an area we need to work on.

“But at the end of the day I cannot complaint much, we came here looking for a positive result and we got a point. It’s going to be a long marathon and we need to put our mind on our next game against Triangle,” said Mapeza.

FC Platinum were dealt blow as their fight they put up, Ndiraya said his lads never rose to the occasion.

“I am very disappointed with the way we played and I think this is the worst game we have played,” assessed Ndiraya post-match. “It was a difficult game for us, they defended very deeply and we ran out of ides wherever we got into the final attacking third.”

Teams Yadah FC: T Dube, Munyaradzi Nyenye, B Chikwenya, J Dzingai, R Dongo, B Mapfumo, D Savanhu, J Sibanda (L Murape), L Mavunga (W Kamudyariwa), M Musiyakuvi, M Demera

Ngezi: N Chadya, N Ketala (C Augusto), D Teguru, T Dzvukamanja, E Tapera (W Mukanga), L Chakoroma, D Mukandi, K Murera, T Mchisa, W Pakamisa, G Murwira (T Mabvura) star defender Gift Bello limped off in the 81st minute and is now a doubt for Pure Platinum Play’s next match against Triangle at Maglas on Wednesday.

Bello was replaced by Ian Nekati who did well to keep FC Platinum in the game when he blocked Bhekimpilo Ncube’s goal bound header in the 83rd minute.

City: L. Chirava, M. Kadzola, Z. Sibanda, N. Mukumbi, M. Mungadze, K. Madzongwe, R. Pavari, B. Ncube, H. Masuku (I. Kutsanzira 81), M. Moyo (C. Rupiya 87), M. Dube

FC Platinum: P. Mhari, R. Muduviwa, E. Moyo, W. Stima, G. Bello (I. Nekati 81), W. Mhango, S. Shoko, R. Chinyengetere, M. Mudehwe (N. Masuku 90), C. Sibanda (A. Murimba 79), G. Mbweti

Bulawayo