The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
Herentals …………………..1
FC Platinum ……………….2
FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza is a perfectionist and yesterday at Rufaro, he was the first to admit that the defending champions need to up their game if they are to defend their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
Despite watching his charges come from behind to dismiss a battling Herentals outfit, Mapeza was far from being impressed.
“It was a good game, l am happy with Never Tigere’s performance but there’s still room for improvement not only for him but the boys as a team. At the end of the day it is not the number of goals scored that matters. It’s about the overall contribution.
“But winning when you haven’t played to the best of your abilities is a mark of quality. The boys did well to win the game and their performance confirms there is need for just minor touch ups and nothing major,” he said. Herentals drew first blood after 28 minutes through Juan Mutudza but FC Platinum levelled manners in first half injury time, Never Tigere drilling home from close range.
The second half was cagey but with seven minutes to go, substitute Gift Mbweti calmly swept FC Platinum into the lead with only his second touch of the game.
Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva said despite having lost the game, his ‘school boys’ learnt a lot from Pure Platinum Play.
“I have to give a thumbs up to my boys for the brilliant performance against the champions. It might sound a bit off the mark because we lost but the boys were indeed brilliant.
“FC Platinum are the champions, the best team in the league and my boys are only coming from division one and lack experience. But they showed character and gave a good account of themselves,” he said.
