The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda in ZVISHAVANE
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
NORMAN MAPEZA became the first coach to beat Highlanders this season, but the reigning Coach of the Year thinks there is nothing special about that feat.
Bosso went into yesterday’s match at Mandava unbeaten in 19 matches, but they faced a well-drilled FC Platinum side that was inspired by an unplayable Walter Musona.
He scored a beautiful goal in the second half after he had created the first, as Pure Platinum Play, who had gone for six matches without victory, finally remembered how to win.
Highlanders had not lost in the league since March 19, when they began their 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign with a goalless draw against ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields Stadium.
They had not lost in 160 days.
However, yesterday, Bosso were reduced to an ordinary side by a dominant FC Platinum.
That defeat saw Bosso’s lead at the top reduced to two points after second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars walloped Triangle United 3-0 at Baobab yesterday.
Mapeza feels there was nothing special about the momentous win, which also means the current log leaders, Highlanders, will not match the famous 23-game unbeaten run attained by the Class of 2012.
“For me, it’s a normal win.
“Is it (handing Highlanders a first defeat of the season) more special? I doubt.
“To me, it’s normal,” Mapeza said.
“We sat down and analysed Highlanders: the way they play, all aspects of their game and how they score.
“They play some good football.”
Mapeza’s side are now on 30 points, 11 behind log leaders Bosso going into the last 14 games of the season.
“We don’t think about our position on the log, because it doesn’t reflect how we have been playing.
“All the games we were playing here (at Mandava) we have been playing some good football, but we were not getting the result.
“Credit goes to the boys; they played well.
“The whole team was brilliant. The fact that we restricted Highlanders to maybe just one shot on target shows we were solid,” he added.
FC Platinum dominated the early exchanges and were duly rewarded with an opener, courtesy of a Peter Muduhwa own goal in the eighth minute.
After some neat passes on the right side, Musona whipped in a dangerous low cross, which Ariel Sibanda punched onto Muduhwa, after which it ricocheted into the nets.
Musona then capped off a fine afternoon with a delicate goal in the 75th minute, sending Sibanda the wrong way after he was played through by the impressive Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.
Despite suffering his first loss this term, Brito still held his head high and warned fans against forgetting what his boys achieved before yesterday’s loss.
“This can happen in football, but the good thing is we still remain on top as we go into Round 21 of the season,” said Brito.
“We can’t forget what these boys did in the past 20 rounds. Today (yesterday) was not one of our best days.
“We will start afresh and we hope to put up another 19-game unbeaten run.”
Brito introduced Darlington Mukuli for Elshamar Farasi, allowing Archford Faira to roam the left flank at the start of the second half.
They had some moments in which they controlled the game, but the FC Platinum midfield trio of Brian Banda, Juan Mutudza and Hagiazo Magaya was dominant.
Pure Platinum Play’s front three of Musona, Ngwenya and Panashe Mutimbanyoka was at its best.
“It was great to be the first team to beat Highlanders, but we will not think about who is on top of the log at the moment.
“Anything can happen,” said Musona.
“I was happy with my performance, but it’s not about individual performances but the team as a whole.
“We went into the match without a win in about six matches, and it was a tough period for us. Now, we have to keep pushing,” he said. Yesterday’s win was FC Platinum’s eighth of the season.
They have drawn six times and lost as many games.
Last season, they lost only three times the whole season.
The defending champions have conceded 17 goals in 20 games.
Last season, they let in only 14 goals.
There were worries the wheels were coming off for the four-time league champions, but yesterday’s performance was a big statement to those who were already doubting Mapeza’s side.
If yesterday’s performance is anything to go by, then Pure Platinum Play are still in, with a chance to claw their way back and win a fifth consecutive title.
TEAMS
FC Platinum: P. Mhari, G. Mbweti, N. Chinyerere, M. Ngwenya, L. Mhlanga, H. Magaya, J. Mutudza, B. Banda, P. Mutimbanyoka, W. Musona (D. Teguru 90), T. Ngwenya (P. Chikwende 92nd)
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, A. Mbeba, P. Muduhwa, M. Ndlovu, A. Faira, B. Manhire (W. Navaya 76), M. Mushore, E. Farasi (D. Mukuli 46), M. Ncube, S. Ngala, L. Chikuhwa
