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Norman Mapeza

Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum 3-1 Bulawayo City
TAKESURE Chinyama announced his return to the Castle Lager Premiership with his first goal for FC Platinum in a convincing win over Bulawayo City at Mandava Stadium yesterday. Chinyama had been used as a second half substitute since resumption of the second half of the season, but yesterday coach Norman Mapeza gave him his first start alongside other veterans Ali Sadiki and Mkhokheli Dube.

City silenced the home crowd by taking the lead in the 20th minute through Newman Sianchali.

The lead lasted just seven minutes, as an own goal by Munyaradzi Mangadzi in the 27th minute levelled matters. Winston Mhango’s 43rd minute and Chinyama’s 58th minute strikes gave the home side all three points.

The move by Mapeza to field veterans was applauded by fans who urged him to place more trust in them to win the league that has eluded them.

“I am back. I hope I will continue scoring and I want to applaud my teammates for the support. We were a goal down, but we showed character and kept on fighting,” said Chinyama.

For his goal, he got a pass from Sadiki at the edge of the box and controlled the ball under challenge by a City defender to power a left footer past goalkeeper Liberty Chirava to seal the points.

City had caused FC Platinum a scare in the 20th minute when Sianchali, who has a knack for scoring against the platinum miners, raced for a loose ball forcing goalkeeper Petros Mhari to come off his line.

The experienced keeper completely missed the ball and Sianchali had the easiest task of heading the ball into an empty net.

FC Platinum then equalised when referee Arnold Ncube awarded them a free kick just outside the City box.

Charles Sibanda released a screamer, which was punched by Chirava onto Mangadze and into the net in the 27th minute.

Former Hwange midfielder Mhango then put Pure Platinum Play into the driving seat from another set piece just before half time.

Mhango’s scorcher from a free kick hit the roof of the net, with Chirava at the wrong end of the action.

Mhari, the FC Platinum captain, appealed to fans not to boo players when they make mistakes, after he was booed for his mistake that led to City’s goal.

“Our fans should not boo players like what they did today because we all make mistakes. They must instead cheer us on because nobody comes to the stadium to make mistakes. We all make mistakes,” said Mhari.

His coach Mapeza was happy with the win but warned against always coming from behind, saying it might not always happen.

“There is no bad win. We are in the second round (of the season) and the most important thing for us is to grind results and to also continue working hard,” said Mapeza.

City coach Mandla Mpofu said: “We collapsed after conceding, but I am happy we gave them a scare. It was not easy coming to Mandava because FC Platinum are championship material. They are really serious about the championship and we must give them credit for fighting very hard. I will continue to talk to my guys because we need to keep on getting positive results to avoid relegation.”

Team
FC Platinum: P Mhari, R Muduviwa, I Nekati, K Moyo, E Moyo, W Mhango, N Masuku, C Sibanda, T Chinyama (B Muzondiwa 78th min), M Dube, A Sadiki (M Makumbe 89th min)

Bulawayo City: L Chirava, A Tandi, N Mukumbi, N Sianchali, S Ndlovu (H Masuku 71st min), I Wadi, M Mangadze, R Pavari, M Moyo (C Rupiya 78th min) Z Sibanda, I Kutsanzira