The Sunday Mail
Neville Dube
Sports Reporter
Herentals …………………..………. (1) 1
FC Platinum ………………………..….. 0
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was left a frustrated man after his team slumped to a shock Castle Lager Premiership Soccer League defeat to Herentals at the National Sports Stadium.
However, reigning champion’s coach complained bitterly about “unsporting conduct’’ by the hosts.
Herentals got an early breakthrough when Brighton Majarira struck in the 25th minute, tapping home from close range after FC Platinum goalkeeper Petros Mhari made a mess of his clearance off a long-range effort by the Students.
Soon after the goal, the home team’s ball boys started employing delaying tactics each time the ball went out of play.
In the second half, they abandoned their duties altogether, and Mapeza was not amused.
“Yes, we lost, it’s a game of football.
“I don’t have any complaints; we just need to regroup going forward.“Anywhere in the world there are ball boys but what we saw today it’s not a good advert for our football . . .
“The players ended up picking the ball each time it went out. It’s not good for football,” he said. “The match officials should make sure that there are ball boys always. The guys they brought today are not ball boys and the way they were dressed…you wonder what’s happening to our football.”
Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa was pleased with the way his charges played.
“A great feeling in particular, (especially) managing three points against a well-balanced and well-drilled FC Platinum.
“They have been dominating Zimbabwe football for so long and winning against them it’s quite an achievement for the club.
“The self-belief and confidence that they (Herentals players) had in taking on FC Platinum is quite a good thing for the club.
“We didn’t give up from the word go. We had strategies that didn’t give them enough room to impose their possession football,’’ Mutiwekuziva said.
The Herentals gaffer defended the team’s ball boys.
“I think they overreacted over the issue of ball boys, saying that they are not providing them balls on time.
“They decided that ball boys should go out so that they can take control … and they are the ones who made that decision to the officials.
“It was quite wrong for them and it complicated things for them,” he said.
Herental will, however, revel in the rare win over the three-time Premiership champions.
