The Sunday Mail
Patrick Chitumba in ZVISHAVANE
FC Platinum ……………… 0
Dynamos …………………. 0
COACHES Norman Mapeza and Tonderai Ndiraya expressed satisfaction with their respective teams’ performances after the champions FC Platinum and Dynamos were deadlocked in their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
The pulsating draw was characterised by missed chances by either side. Mapeza felt the outcome was fair, although he bemoaned some of the close opportunities they failed to convert.
“The result was fair as far as I am concerned. We could have done better, but we did not get as many chances today because we are still trying to have our solidity back, with new players, most of them young, coming to join the team,” Mapeza said.
The FC Platinum gaffer believes there is still room for improvement for his side, who were upstaged 2-0 by Bulawayo Chiefs in their last match.
“We lost the first match since coming from the break and this should be a good starting point as we go forward.”
Ndiraya, however, reckons his new signings have made his team better than last season, and he was a happy man at the end of the game at Mandava.
The DeMbare coach handed starts to five of his new players — Ralph Kawondera, Emmanuel Paga, Keith Murera, Brandon Mpofu and Evans Katema. Another newcomer, Issa Sadiki, who arrived from Yadah Stars, was introduced for Katema in the second half.
“I am happy with this performance. Now this is a different Dynamos you have seen.
“The team is at its best probably for the first time in many years.
“You cannot predict anything from us. When you play away, naturally there is an idea of playing defensive football.
“Honestly, I was very cautious, I wanted the team to defend but they turned a gear up and were offensive throughout the match,’’ said Ndiraya.
He was also happy with the number of chances created by his charges.
“You look at the first chance that we got through Evans Katema, then that one by Jaure — you name them.
“We were so good that our goalkeeper made one save; that shows a lot about our character.
“We have been at the receiving end of them in recent times but we are slowly changing the script. Last time we won and this time we take a point going home, which makes me happy as the coach.”
Dynamos were first off the blocks in this lunchtime kick-off, with returning striker Katema coming close as early as the second minute.
Katema, who played for Mushowani and Dynamos before moving to Zanaco in Zambia, found space in the box to connect with a delightful cross that had been whipped in by the Nigerian, Paga.
He, however, found goalkeeper Petros Mhari alert.
Moments later, the platinum miners responded with a quick and swift attack that had Brian Banda on the front foot.
But his teammates could not ably complement his effort, with Gift Mbweti skying his shot over.
The visitors were having the better of the exchanges, and their captain Patson Jaure almost scored in the 23rd minute when he charged ahead of the FC Platinum defenders in a counter-attack to receive pin-point pass from Kawondera, but, in the end, his low shot did little to trouble Mhari.
Kawondera, who was facing his former paymasters, also had a crack at goal in the 56th minute but found a stumbling block in the FC Platinum goal-minder.
Teenager Oscar Bhebhe also wasted a goal-scoring opportunity from inside the box after failing to make a perfect shot at goal with Dynamos goalkeeper Taimon Mvula a beaten man.
Referee Prince Matutu was forced to stop the match for four minutes in the second half following a brawl in the stands between Dynamos and FC Platinum’s supporters.
However, after the crowd trouble, FC Platinum got what was their best chance of the day, when Bhebhe found Thandolenkosi Ngwenya unmarked in the box, but the latter blasted his effort over the bar.
The teenage pair of Ngwenya and Bhebhe later had a fine exchange of passes in the 80th minute only for Bhebhe to direct his effort off target when Mvula was at sea.
TEAMS:
FC PLATINUM: P Mhari, G Mbweti, W Stima, G Bello, K Mangiza, R Pavari, J Mutudza, B Banda, P Mutimbanyoka (W Musona 71st minute), O Bhebhe, T Ngwenya (O Abubakar 79th minute)
DYNAMOS: T Mvula, E Jalai, F Makarati, P Jaure, K Murera, S Nyahwa, R Kawondera (G Murwira 86’) , E Katema (I Sadiki 80’), E Paga, B Antonio.
