The Sunday Mail
Mehluli Sibanda in Zvishavane
FC Platinum …………………………………(1) 1
Highlanders …………………………………(1) 1
TEAR-GAS thrown by police to calm tempers brought an abrupt end to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between FC Platinum played on a slippery Mandava pitch yesterday.
FC Platinum and Highlanders were deadlocked when assistant referee Albinos Zigwati raised his flag to signal that the coming together between Highlanders defender Peter Muduhwa and FC Platinum substitute Walter Musona was a free-kick in favour of the home team, which saw referee Kuzivamwari Jaravaza point to the spot.
This resulted in a lengthy stoppage as Highlanders players protested the decision.
Bosso supporters then joined in as they invaded the pitch before they were cleared by police.
Just when things appeared to be getting back to normal, police threw tear-gas and there was mayhem as fans scampered in all directions.
Players were also affected by the tear smoke. Bosso fans had already been agitated by decisions made by Jaravaza and first assistant referee Michael Ncube, which led to tempers boiling over when the disputable penalty was awarded.
Video footage from our television station, Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), showed that the contact between Musona and Muduhwa occurred outside the box.
Devine Mhindirira gave Highlanders the lead in the eighth minute.
Some industrious work by Lynoth Chikuhwa saw the striker send the ball into the box, where Stanley Ngala laid it for an unmarked Mhindirira to plant past Petros Mhari.
A defensive blunder by Highlanders then gave FC Platinum an opportunity to equalise in the 15th minute, Juan Mutudza beating Ariel Sibanda on the far post.
FC Platinum dominated the second half but did not do much with the ball possession. The Premier Soccer League are now expected to make a decision on the abandoned match.
While the game at Mandava ended in tear smoke, it was joy once again for Benjani Mwaruwari as he continued with his unbeaten start to life as the Ngezi Platinum Stars coach.
Ngezi Platinum Stars edged ZPC Kariba 1-0 at Nyamhunga Stadium, with teenage forward Tinotenda Murasiranwa’s goal making the difference.
Murasiranwa was promoted from the Ngezi Under-19 side during the just-ended window period.
Teams:
FC Platinum: P Mhari, G Mbweti, G Bello, W Stima, N Chinyerere, B Moyo, J Mutudza, D Teguru (Musona 78 mins), P Mutimbanyoka, I Mucheneka, T Ngwenya
Highlanders: A Sibanda, A Tandi (Mukuli 64 mins), R Kutsanzira, D Mhindirira (Navaya 46 mins), L Chikuhwa, N Masuku, A Mbeba, A Silla, P Muduhwa, S Ngala (Sibanda 58 mins), M Ndlovu
