FC earn another Super

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 Thulani 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 posses- sion 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 the performance.

“I applaud my players for working hard and I will not single any one of them, the whole team played so well.

“Charles finally scored and it’s his job to do so. We never gave him pressure