The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporters
FC Platinum …………………………1
Highlanders ………………………..0
HOOLIGANS clad in Highlanders kit ran amok and unleashed violence at the end of a Premier Soccer League clash in which FC Platinum bagged yet another crucial win.
Forward Gift Mbweti scored in the last minute of the match to deny Bosso a share of the spoils they had gallantly fought for.
The result gives FC Platinum 44 points on top of the log, six ahead of closest rivals Ngezi Platinum Stars who play Black Rhinos in the capital this afternoon.
Highlanders missed several key players for this one but on the field of play it never showed as they managed to put on a brave performance despite the absentees.
The miners struggled for the better part of the game to contend with a determined and tactically disciplined Tshilamoya side.
At the final whistle, Mapeza conceded his charges were given a good run for their mopney by the visitors, and the gaffer was eternally grateful for the points.
“There were some moments I thought we were not in the game but it is a game of football and glory to God we managed to get the win at the end.
“They were sitting and waiting for us and credit to the guys as they kept on pushing and we were rewarded in the final minute,” said Mapeza.
Highlanders assistant coach Mandla Mpofu said it was unfortunate for his team to lose after a brave fight.
“We played very well and I think the guys were unbelievable,” said Mpofu.
“It’s just unfortunate that we came out with nothing after the game.
“That is the nature of the game,” he said.
At the National Sports Stadium, Moses Chunga watched from the terraces as Shabanie Mine held Herentals FC to a one-all draw amid rumours that the seasoned gaffer could soon be joining the Zvishavane-based outfit during the mid-season break.
Shabanie Mine FC chairman Tavaziva Mhloro confirmed to The Sunday Mail that they are indeed considering roping in Bambo to take over the head coach post, which fell vacant last week following the resignation of Takesure Chiragwi.
“It’s good to see him (Chunga) around, he is one of the coaches that we are considering to take over the post, and if all goes well then he will take over during the mid-season break,” he said.
But despite The Chinda Boys chairman confirming the developments, the former Dynamos head coach professed ignorance on the matter, saying he was yet to hear from the Midlands-based outfit.
“I am here to watch the match, and I think they are a good side which needs a few touch-ups. “However, I am yet to hear from them (Shabanie Mine FC),” said Chunga. Shabanie Mine have managed a single point in two matches since the resignation of Chiragwi, and after watching his charges coming back from behind to snatch a draw against Herentals, Shabanie Mine FC interim coach Alexio Sigion believes Chiragwi’s resignation has affected his players.
“I think the players’ were demoralised by the resignation of Chiragwi and it is something which has affected our play in the last two matches. But I am happy that we managed to get one point away from home,” said Sigion.
Herentals FC coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva was disappointed with the result.
“It is a disappointing result for us, especially when we wasted clear-cut chances in the early stages of the match,” he said.
David Temwanjira equalised for Shabanie Mine two minutes from the break, after Herentals had taken an early lead following a penalty spot conversion by Richard Hachiro in the sixth minute.
Shabanie Mine saw a clear penalty call being turned down by referee Patrick Kalota in the 85th minute after Brighton Majarira pulled down Temwanjira inside the box in a scoring position.
Meanwhile, at Barbourfields, Bulawayo City narrowly edged out Mutare City 1-nil, courtesy of Timothy January’s 69th minute strike.
