The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda in Ngezi
FC Platinum…………………… (0) 1
Highlanders………………………… 0
FC PLATINUM’s teenage winger Panashe Mutimbanyoka stole the show as his classic goal propelled the miners into the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Mutimbanyoka dummied his way past a defender before rifling home, three minutes after the restart.
He got to the end of a beautiful cross by man of the match Kelvin Mangiza who turned 20 in May.
Rodwell Chinyengetere missed a penalty once again after Highlanders left back Mbongeni Ndlovu had handled in an attempt to clear the ball.
Chinyengetere’s 60th minute effort from the spot was saved by Bosso skipper Ariel Sibanda.
Former Soccer Star of the Year Chinyengetere is no longer the trusted penalty taker he used to be as he missed one when FC Platinum crashed out of the CAF Champions League against Angolan side Sagrada Esperanca in September.
However, yesterday’s game belonged to FC Platinum’s youthful players who are being introduced by Norman Mapeza as he tries to refresh his squad.
The gaffer refused to brag about his project which has also seen the emergence of striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.
“I wouldn’t want to talk much about them, you saw for yourselves, so you can spread the gospel,” said Mapeza.
The result ended Highlanders’ hopes of defending their Chibuku Super Cup title.
Bosso won the Cup in 2019 after beating Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The first real chance of the game came after 20 minutes and it fell to Bosso.
Washington Navaya came face to face with Petros Mhari but the striker shot straight at the miners’ goalkeeper.
The FC Platinum goalkeeper and captain did not finish the match though, as he suffered a concussion in the 70th minute following a collision with Andrew Mbeba who fell unconscious before being resuscitated about 30 minutes later.
It was, however, confirmed that both players were not in a bad state.
That and the rains, which poured towards the end of the match, marred what was a beautiful game of football.
Both Highlanders and FC Platinum are known for passing the ball around and they did just that amid some afternoon showers in Mhondoro.
FC Platinum’s Innocent Mucheneka came close with a volley in the 32nd minute.
Four minutes later, Sibanda made a double save, first punching away a grounder by Mucheneka before blocking a shot from Ngwenya, who had capitalised on the rebound.
Bosso coach Mandla Mpofu made a double substitution in the 64th minute, bringing on Keith Mavhunga and Toto Banda for Chikuhwa and Navaya, as he tried to rescue the game.
Mapeza responded with his own changes, four minutes later, as he introduced Brian Banda and Silas Songani, in a bid to control the game.
In the end, it was FC Platinum who got their revenge over Highlanders, the team that knocked them out of the Chibuku Super Cup in 2019.
Back then, Bosso walloped Pure Platinum Play 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
That was not the case yesterday as FC Platinum subdued the Bulawayo giants.
“We knew how they would play, we knew they would have more possession.
“But I am sure the fans who came here watched a beautiful game.
“I would call it a final before a final,” said Highlanders coach Mpofu.
He rued the chance that was missed by Navaya early in the game.
“I told my boys in the dressing room that if they (FC Platinum) get their chance and score then that’s it.
“They got their chance and scored,” lamented Mpofu.
Mapeza was happy with the way his team controlled the game but was also worried about how his players missed chances.
“In terms of ball possession we were okay.
“But these days in modern football you need to bury chances,” Mapeza said.
The Warriors gaffer told the media his side would work on finishing off chances.
FC Platinum were the inaugural winners of the Chibuku Super Cup in 2014.
They reached the final in 2016 but lost to Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Teams:
FC Platinum: P. Mhari (F. Tizayi 72nd), L. Mhlanga, R. Kutsanzira, K. Madzongwe, K. Mangiza, R. Pavari, I. Mucheneka, R. Chinyengetere (B. Banda 68th), P. Mutimbanyoka, D. Teguru (S. Songani 68th), T. Ngwenya
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, D. Mhindirira, Lynoth Chikuhwa (K. Mavhunga 64th) B. Sibanda (G. Makaruse 73rd), R. Lunga (J. Ngodzo 46th), N. Masuku, A. Mbeba (C. Siamalonga 73rd), P. Muduhwa, M. Ndlovu, C. Ncube, W. Navaya (T. Banda 64th)
