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From Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum 3-0 How Mine
ZIMBABWE Under-23 captain Wisdom Mutasa capped a good afternoon’s performance after he was given the nod by coach Norman Mapeza to start the match against How Mine at Mandava Stadium yesterday.

Mutasa scored straight from a corner kick in the 28th minute.

“I have been training very hard since my days at Aces Academy to bend the ball and also when I was at school. Today I was rewarded and I’m excited to have scored my first league goal. I want to keep on working hard and focused,” said the soft spoken Mutasa.

Zambian international Obrey Chirwa who missed most of the games because of malaria kept How Mine players on their feet each time he was in possession, scored the second goal for the hosts.

Substitute Wellington Kamudyariwa killed the match as a contest with a minute to full time. Simon Shoko who was introduced in the 57th minute for Brian Muzondiwa won possession on the right, sent a defence splitting pass that forced Bernard Donovan to come out of his line and Kamudyariwa simply lobbed the ball past the goalkeeper into the nets.

Wonder Sithole had the ball in the back of the nets for How Mine in the 83rd minute when he caught the FC Platinum defence napping but his effort was ruled for offside by first assistant referee Allen Parehwa.

Timothy January, who scored four goals last weekend was a pale shadow of himself. Kudakwashe Musharu and Limited Chikafa also did not come to the party and it was only after the introduction of Benjamin Marere, Charles Sibanda and Mgcini Sibanda that How Mine started to play purposeful football.

The FC Platinum defence that was well marshalled by Gift Bello, Raphael Muduviwa, and the Moyo twins were in a no-nonsense mood.

Mapeza attributed the victory to hard work.

“We are trying to be consistent and keep the momentum going. We won because of hardwork. Nothing comes on a silver platter and we need to keep on working hard. Things have not been going on well for us but we did not look down,” said Mapeza

His counterpart, Luke Masomere conceded defeat.

“Platinum played good football and we also played very well. We were denied a genuine goal and I will not castigate the referees.

“The referee pointed to the centre but the assistant’s flag was up. We are in the right direction. We played very well although we had mistakes here and there and three nil was not supposed to be the outcome of the game,” said Masomere.

Teams

FC Platinum: F Tizayi, R Muduviwa, G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo, W Mhango, A Gahadzikwa, W Mutasa (E Mandiranga 85th min ), B Muzondiwa (S Shoko 57th min), T Rukanda, O Chirwa

How Mine: B Donovan, T Kumbuyani, M Gutu, M Mupera, N Tachi, N Mukumbi, W Sithole, H Masuku (B Marere 44th min ), K Musharu, L Chikafa (M Sibanda 67th min ), T January (C Sibanda 67th min).