The Sunday Mail
Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum . . . . . . . .. . . . . .(2) 2 Yadah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..(0) 0
JAIROS TAPERA was given a reprieve by Prophet Walter Magaya and sat on the bench yesterday but could not prevent Yadah Stars from suffering their fourth straight defeat at Mandava yesterday.
It was an emotional return to Mandava for FC Platinum who were using Maglas as their home prior to this encounter and they duly shot to the top of the log standing after yesterday’s win.
A seventh minute strike by Gift Mbweti and a 39th minute scorcher from Gerald Takwara was all the hosts needed to put smiles on their fans and the technical bench.
FC Platinum remain unbeaten and are now on 19 points from 9 matches, one ahead of ZPC Kariba who face Ngezi Platinum at Baobab this afternoon.
It was also an ideal return for Norman Mapeza who missed last weekend’s win at Chicken Inn as he was away in Turkey where he was invited to his former club Galatasaray.
“I would like to say thank you to the guys and everyone who was behind the team when we collected maximum points in Bulawayo. “I was away and it shows that at Platinum we are united and it’s very good to be united.
“We however need to be consistent. I thrive for better things and I hope I will continue winning at home. “I am more than satisfied and the boys worked very hard and I am proud of them” said Mapeza.
On fire Mbweti opened the scores when he was spotted by dribbling wizard Talent Chawapihwa in the box and had the easiest task of slotting the ball past Tafadzwa Dube.
Pure Platinum Play continued with their classic display and Takwara, who got a first team start for the second time this season, showed what he is made of when he released a scorcher that Dube failed to deal with.
It was the goal platinum wanted and in the second half they showed Yadah some basic football as they played a passing game.
Yadah had their moments too and could have scored in the 19th minute but Manuel Maleka fluffed the chance after coming face to face with Platinum keeper Petros Mhari.
On fire Leeroy Mavunga shook his head in disbelief in the 34th minute when he dribbled past FC Platinum defenders and released a shot that was saved by Mhari. Tapera refused to be interviewed after the game sending his assistant Thomas Ruzive for the post match.
Rumors say Tapera has not been given the green light to speak to the press and he looked more like a slave after the match opting to go and speak to Gibson Homela and Benedict Moyo who are conducting a Caf B course in Zvishavane.
“It was not a bad result for us. We are just going through a bad patch but people need to know that we are not in the league to make numbers but to compete,” said Ruzive.
