The Sunday Mail
From Sikhumbuzo Moyo in MAPUTO, Mozambique
Costa do Sol……………………………….1
FC Platinum………………………………..2
NORMAN Mapeza announced his return to the FC Platinum technical engine room with a bang when he engineered the Zimbabwe soccer kings’ victory over hosts Costa do Sol in a Total CAF Champions league preliminary round first leg encounter at Zimpeto Stadium here yesterday.
The score line though does not do justice to the total dominance of the game by the Zvishavane-based side, especially in the middle of the park where Mapeza threw in no nonsense hardmen, Tawana Chikore, debutant Brian Banda, goal scorer Ralph Kawondera and the general himself Kelvin Madzongwe.
Kawondera struck in the 70th minute off a header following a horseman job by Madzongwe, who is making a strong case for a place in the Warriors midfield defensive shield.
The visitors somehow found themselves level just at the end of regulation time and everyone in the Zimbabwean camp was probably content with a draw on the road but little did they know that the unheralded Elias Magura had an ace up his sleeve.
In a moment of individual brilliance, right from the centre circle, Magura spotted goalkeeper Isaq Gvambo off his line, turned to his left, perhaps to deceive the keeper and in a flash, let loose a volley.
The rest was and remains history and it left Mapeza purring.
“It’s a great result, personally I would have been content with a draw but well the boys gave me a victory, we now look forward to the return leg,” he said.
Teams:
Costa do Sol: Isaq Gvambo, Agero Jonasse, Franscisco Miocha, Jose Cassimiro, Danilo Muze, Feliciano Jose, Jorge Muholove, Nelson Divrassohe, Nilton Ernesto, Selomao Mondlane
FC Platinum: Petros Mhari, Gift Mbwetu, Tawana Chikore, Gift Bello, William Stima, Kelvin Madzongwe, Brian Banda, Ralph Kawondera, Perfect Chikwende, Silas Songani, Elian Ilungu.
