FC Platinum down champions Ngezi

Don Makanyanga in MHONDORO-NGEZI

Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)2

NORMAN MAPEZA and his FC Platinum side walked away with bragging rights after downing defending champions Ngezi Platinum in a hugely one-sided affair at Baobab Stadium yesterday.

It was the first instalment of the Platinum derby this season, and was decided by Wilfred Muvirimi’s brace either side of the half.

The win took FC Platinum’s tally to six wins in 13 meetings of the much-hyped derby and, more importantly, further underlined their dominance over their rivals. The hosts, Ngezi Platinum Stars, were the first out of the blocks and took control of the game as they dominated possession and forced FC Platinum to sit back.

Pegged back, the visitors were then forced to rely on set-pieces and the odd counter-attack to get goals.

And it worked.

FC Platinum got the breakthrough, towards the end of the first half, when former Harare City forward Wilfred Muvirimi connected with Oscar Bhebhe’s corner-kick, much to the disappointment of the home supporters.

The goal hardly changed the complexion of the game, but now Mapeza’s men seemed more content at sitting back while the hosts grew more desperate.

In one of Ngezi Platinum Stars’ desperate attempts at an equaliser, Leslie Kashitugu saw his long-range effort get parried away by Wallace Magalane in goal for FC Platinum.

The hosts again came close to levelling matters seven minutes before the break when Claude Mapoka directed his header into the hands of Magalane.

It was the same script into the second period as Ngezi Platinum Stars continued their dominance over FC Platinum Stars but failed to get on the scoresheet.

Muvirimi then killed off the game as a contest when he beat a host of markers on the left flank to unleash a powerful grounder and seal his first brace in FC Platinum colours.

Despite the loss, Ngezi coach Takesure Chiragwi was left satisfied with the level of competition displayed by his team.

“We were the better side in the way we attacked and kept possession.

“I think we did everything right but automatically failed to get the result.

“They only had two chances and made sure to score. That is what made the difference,” said Chiragwi.

His opposite number, Mapeza, was all smiles and happy with his charges’ performance.

He, however, brushed off any suggestion that the win means FC Platinum are back in the race for the title.

“I do not look much into statistics.

“Last year, we came here and lost two- nil. This is a different year and our main focus was on today’s (yesterday) game,” said Mapeza.