The Sunday Mail
Patrick Chitumba in Zvishavane
FC Platinum…………………………..0
Highlanders…………………………..0
FC Platinum will rue the two points they dropped at home after being held by plucky Highlanders in an otherwise entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava yesterday.
The champions needed to collect maximum points to reclaim the top spot and pile on the pressure on CAPS United and Chicken Inn, who are their major rivals in the title race.
With yesterday’s draw, FC Platinum now sit on 53 points and remain on third position on the log and one behind CAPS United.
In a game where both teams missed great opportunities to score, Sweswe said he was happy they had picked up a point.
He gave credit to Highlanders for bringing the game to them during both halves, adding that they just needed to avoid dropping points in their upcoming fixtures.
“We played a good game today against a good team and credit to my boys for not dropping points. We need to continue getting points and avoid dropping any in the remaining fixtures. Otherwise, we had a good game,” he said.
Sweswe said he was missing the backbone of his team, which includes Kelvin Madzongwe, Lameck Nhamo and Perfect Chikwende, who are out injured.
“My team was depleted and it affected our play very much. I hope they will be fit for the next matches, otherwise we will be forced to play with a depleted squad,” he said.
Highlanders coach Hendrick Pieter De Jongh was happy with the draw, saying they had played a professional outfit which has players who have been outside the country.
“I’m happy with the team’s performance because we were playing a professional team,” he said.
De Jongh said he is also happy that Highlanders are out of the relegation zone. He is aiming for a top-eight finish.
The match started on a high tempo with FC Platinum camping in Highlanders’ half for the greater part of the first half.
In the 10th minute, Highlanders defender Peter Muduwa conceded a free-kick after a reckless tackle on Devon Chafa. However, William Stima missed.
Five minutes before the break, some unruly Highlanders fans pelted FC Platinum winger Guy Nsiale with missiles after he was brought down on right field by a Highlanders defender. Referee Tabani Bamala from Kwekwe did not blow his whistle.
In the 42nd minute, the match stopped after Peter Muduwa appeared to have hit Nsiale on the face following a failed attack.
Muduwa was lucky not to have received a red card as the referee waved play on.
Gift Mbweti then hit the upright with Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, beaten as the champions returned from the break a rejuvenated side.
Three minutes into the second half, there was a penalty appeal from Highlanders when national team striker Prince Dube decided to dive in front of goal looking for a penalty. Bamala waved play on, much to the disappointment of the visiting fans.
Dube, who was a surprise inclusion in the Highlanders starting XI after playing about five minutes for the Warriors against Botswana on Friday night, missed a close chance after 54 minutes with FC Platinum goalkeeper Francis Tizayi beaten.
