The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda in ZVISHAVANE
FC Platinum. . . . . (1) 1
Caps United. . . . . . . . . 0 FC PLATINUM marched into the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup after dismissing Caps United in an entertaining match at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
An own goal by Caps United’s Malawian import George “Jah Love” Nyirenda, his second in as many matches, made the difference in a match that lived up to its hype and top billing.
The encounter, which had been hyped as a grudge tie following FC Platinum’s 6-0 thumping of Makepekepe in the ZNA Charity Cup last weekend, started off at an electric pace, with Benjamin Marere in fine form for the hosts.
The miners came close with Tarisai Rukanda and Obrey Chirwa inside the opening 10 minutes, before Nyirenda turned into his own net a cross from Chirwa.
Platinum were not afforded the luxury to hand their opponents a whacking like they did last weekend, as Taurai Mangwiro and his men appeared to have done their homework, albeit not satisfactorily.
As the game swung from one end to the other, FC Platinum nearly doubled their lead in the 21st minute, but Rukanda’s thunderous shot crashed against the crossbar.
Four minutes later, Zambian forward Chirwa’s turn-and-shoot effort was scrambled out by a desperate Tafadzwa Dube.
United winger Gerald Phiri could have equalised six minutes from the break, but his effort was cleared off the line by Raphael Muduviwa.
The Malawian import raced onto a perfectly weighted lob by midfield grafter Tendai Samanja and beat an advancing Petros Mhari in goals for FC Platinum, but watched haplessly as Muduviwa remarkably cleared from the line.
Off-form Makepekepe attacking linkman Pervington Zimunya summed up his miserable day when he blazed his effort way over the bar 10 minutes after the breather.
He was immediately replaced by Leonard Fiyado.
On the other hand, Norman Mapeza’s introduction of Thabani Kamusoko for novice Tatenda Dzumbunu stabilised FC Platinum’s midfield, which had appeared jittery in the first half.
FC Platinum defender Gift Bello was lucky not to be shown a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on a charging Nicholas Alifandika on 69 minutes.
Phiri’s dipping shot , from the resultant free kick, was tipped over the bar by an alert Mhari. Two minutes later, Mhari was at it again, denying substitute Fiyado who had been set up by a brilliant flick from Phiri.
Despite edging closer to the final Mapeza, who has not taken long to win many hearts at Mandava, is keeping his feet on the ground.
“History does not usually repeat itself, so today we were fortunate to come out tops once again. It’s still too, too early to talk about the final.
“Harare City are also in the semis and are a very good side, but everything is in God’s hands,” he said.
A dejected Mangwiro conceded defeat, but insisted the back-to-back defeats would not deter his side from their league title charge.
“We were careless in the manner we conceded that goal. We got punished, but we will now concentrate on the league race where we still have a chance,” said the Caps United coach.
Teams:
FC Platinum: P Mhari, R Muduviwa, E Moyo, G Bello, K Moyo, S Shoko, B Marere, T Dzumbunu (T Kamusoko 51st ), T Rukanda, O Chirwa (M Katsvairo 34th), W Mutasa (A Katebe 79th)
Caps United: T Dube, H Zvirekwi, S Makatuka, G Nyirenda, R Pfumbidzai, T Samanja, G Phiri, P Zimunya (L Fiyado 55th), N Alifandika, H Chimutimunzeve (T Mahori 83rd), K Bulaji (D Chungwa 67th)
