The Sunday Mail
Ngqwele Dube in Bulawayo
Bulawayo Chiefs……………….. (0) 0
FC Platinum……………………….. (0) 3
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League log anchors, Bulawayo Chiefs were their own worst enemies as they gifted an inspired FC Platinum two crucial goals that saw the champions claim victory at Luveve yesterday.
The home side also failed to convert a penalty that could have seen them claw back into the match in the 69th minute.
Chiefs were the better of the two sides in the first half, creating better scoring chances than the defending champions but their goalkeeper, David Bizabani made two ‘silly’ blunders that saw Platinum take a 2-0 lead within a space of three minutes after the start of the second stanza.
Bizabani moved off his line to clear an aerial ball that seemed harmless, but miscued his kick, which was intercepted by an advancing Albert Eonde who slotted the ball into an empty net in the 46th minute.
Two minutes later, Bizabani fumbled on a back pass, and again Eonde pounced and slotted the ball into an empty.
Substitute Never Tigere slammed the final nail in the coffin when his sleek free kick nestled into the top right corner of goalposts beating Bizabani.
FC Platinum’s Kevin Moyo handled inside the box as Farau Matare shot at goal and match official, Hardly Ndazi, pointed to the spot.
Unfortunately, Platinum’s goal minder, Francis Tizayi blocked Arthur Musiyiwa’s effort in the 69th minute.
Tizayi also snatched Musiyiwa’s rebound header ensuring the defending champions keep a clean sheet.
FC Platinum finished with 10-man after defender, Lawrence Mhlanga, who came in as a substitute in the 59th minute, was given his marching orders by Ndazi after showing him a second yellow card in the 80th minute, ostensibly for time wasting.
Chiefs coach, Farai Tawachera expressed disappointment with how they conceded two goals through mistakes of their own making.
“It is very disappointing the way we gifted them the game. We played well throughout the game and tactically, I think we were there and matched but I don’t know what happened for us to give away those goals.
“It is more painful that they (FC Platinum) never worked for those goals but they were of our own making. Again we couldn’t score the penalty which maybe could have given us a chance to get back into the game,” he said.
FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza admitted they were blunt in the final third adding that they will be forced to make additions to their squad during the mid-season transfer window.
“Those blunders gifted us those goals but we were not creative in the final third we could not come up with the chances despite being able to play well at the back and in the midfield.
“Lack of creativity upfront has been a worry for me and I guess we will have to look for new personnel during the midseason window. Maybe we are now working with tired legs and need to find fresh ideas and fresh legs,” he said.
Teams
Chiefs: D Bizabani, B Mpofu, P Sibanda, M Mkolo, S Dube, T Muzuva ( Dube 46 mins), A Musiyiwa, S Nyahwa, T Dhliwayo (Majika 85 mins), K Chakanyuka (Zvakavapano 67 mins), F Matare.
FC Platinum: F Tizayi, G Mbweti, G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo, K Madzongwe, F Madhanaga, D Chafa, R Kutsanzira (N Tigere 90 mins), P Chikwende (Mhlanga 59 mins), A Eonde.
Ends
