The beast rules again

12 Mar, 2023 - 00:03 0 Views
The beast rules again

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda in ZVISHAVANE

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

Bulawayo Chiefs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0

AFTER dazzling for over an hour, Jarrison Selemani left many wondering if he is the same player who was offloaded by Dynamos two years ago.

The new FC Platinum signing announced his arrival at the champions in style, scoring one and providing an assist as the miners clinched their fourth Castle Challenge Cup at Mandava Stadium yesterday.

The 25-year-old winger, who was named man of the match, was in scintillating form, setting up Panashe Mutimbanyoka after only five minutes, before scoring a volley in the 55th minute.

It’s still early days but it looks like Selemani will blossom at FC Platinum, who will be gunning for an unprecedented fifth straight league title when the championship race kicks off this weekend.

Strangely, he is the same player who was deemed excess baggage by Tonderai Ndiraya at the beginning of the 2021/2022 season.

Selemani was initially discovered at Aces Youth Soccer Academy by Lloyd “MaBlanyo” Chigowe in 2018, when the gaffer was still in charge at Dynamos.

However, when Ndiraya took over in 2019, he failed to unlock Selemani’s talent, resulting in the winger packing his bags for Cranborne Bullets for the 2021/2022 season.

And he did well at Bullets.

His performances were good enough to attract the attention of FC Platinum, who snapped him up in January.

Yesterday, the skilful winger had a memorable debut for the miners, who set another milestone.

Pure Platinum Play have now won the Castle Challenge Cup four times in a row.

In fact, they are the only winners of the cup since its inception in 2017.

They have also won the past four league titles.

“It was a massive result for us given this was the first game of the season,” FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza said.

“It’s still early days; the sharpness is still not there.”

Although it was Selemani who was voted man of the match by the scribes who watched the encounter, Mapeza thought his other new signing, Misheck Ngwenya, deserved credit.

Ngwenya, a steady centre-back who was signed from Triangle, looked at home as he gelled well with Lawrence Mhlanga at the heart of the league champions’ defence.

“Selemani did really well, he was fantastic throughout the afternoon, but I think Misheck Ngwenya was the man of the match,” said Mapeza.

FC Platinum’s second goal was pure class.

After some fine exchange of passes, Panashe Mutimbanyoka found himself free on the right wing.

He delivered a perfect cross, which was connected first time by Selemani.

FC Platinum could have scored more had they not wasted a glut of chances that came their way.

Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya missed a free header in the first half, before Brian Banda blasted the ball over from close range after he was fed by substitute Perfect Chikwende in the 67th minute.

Another substitute, Innocent Mucheneka, shot straight at the keeper late in the game.

Such is the depth at FC Platinum that reigning Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona also started on the bench.

From the onset, Mapeza sent in a front three of Selemani, Ngwenya and Mutimbanyoka, while Juan Mutudza and Banda patrolled the midfield.

Hagiazo Magaya was also impressive in providing a defensive midfield shift.

Bulawayo Chiefs were not that bad either, as they showed some glimpses that they can be tough opponents this season.

In veteran central midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri, they might have found a perfect replacement for Kelvin Madzongwe, who left for CAPS United.

The 33-year-old former Warriors star is now at Chiefs and yesterday proved that he still has the touch.

Another veteran, Obriel Chirinda, looked dangerous each time he was in possession.

Chiefs new coach Lizwe Sweswe picked up some positives from his team.

Ageing striker Kudakwashe Musharu, who had a stint with the now-defunct Monomotapa, has also surfaced at The Ninjas.

“I think we will do our best when the season starts.

“We made too many mistakes when we conceded those goals.

“This is the first match, so concentration levels are still low,” Sweswe said.

 TEAMS:

FC Platinum: W. Magalane, L. Mhlanga, G. Mbweti, K. Mangiza (N. Chinyerere 90th), J. Mutudza, B. Banda, J. Selemani (W. Musona 65th) P. Mutimbanyoka (O. Bhebhe 90th), T. Ngwenya (P. Chikwende 65th), M. Ngwenya, H. Magaya

 

Bulawayo Chiefs: I. Alli, R. Mufudza (D. Dlodlo 56th), K. Musharu (L. Jesi 56th), M. Msebe, W. Stima, O. Chirinda, M. Mkolo, P. Shoko, D. Phiri, B. Veremu, F. Moyo (A. Ncube 70th)

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds