The Sunday Mail
Munyaradzi Doma in ZVISHAVANE
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 1
FC Platinum Coach Norman Mapeza thinks the race for the championship is still wide open and believes he gained a vital point against Chicken Inn at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
Charles Sibanda scored 10 minutes from time to cancel Passmore Bernard’s strike which had given the visitors a lead after 40 minutes.
Mapeza heaved a sigh of relief after the final whistle.
“It’s still wide open, it’s still too early to talk about that (winning the championship),” said Mapeza whose side moved to 36 points, four behind new log leaders Ngezi Platinum.
“It’s just the third game of the second half of the season and there is still games to go.
“After maybe Week 25, we can start to talk about that, it will start to shape up but for now, it’s still tight,” Mapeza thought his side created more chances than their opponents but in the end he felt a draw was the fairest result.
“It’s a fair result, but in terms of opportunities created I think we were way ahead but then again, it’s not about statistics, it is about how many goals you have scored.
“We came back stronger and the two substitutions we made double did well, so it’s a well done to the boys. Chicken Inn coach Rahman Gumbo insists he wants to take the championship and that’s what he has been telling his players.
He said teams like FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos are giving his team competition.
“I’m sticking to my word (wanting to win the championship),” declared Gumbo.
“I don’t train the players to lose, I tell them we got an objective and the championship is our aim. “This result is very good for us, it gave us a point away from home.
“We were three points ahead of Platinum (FC) and we are still three points ahead of them which is good for us,” said Gumbo.
On his assessment of the match Gumbo said, “I think it was a balanced game, we made FC Platinum change their game plan and play a totally different game to what I’m used to seeing them play which made a little bit of the game very easy to us.
“But look, it was a very balanced game,” he said.
Teams
FC Platinum: Mhari P, Muduviwa R, Nekati I, Moyo K, Moyo E (Chinyama T 73’), Mhango W, Chinyengetere R, Amidu B (Takwara G 50’), Sadiki A, Mbweti G (Sibanda C 50’), Dube M
Chicken Inn: Chipezeze E, Bernard P (Madhazi P 83’), Lunga D, Jackson M, Nyahunzvi B, Matawu C, Dhuwa (Gurure K 52’) C, Juru B, Tarumbwa O (Nyandoro D 58’), Mucheneka I, Goredema T..
