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FC Platinum’s Raphael Muduviwa (left), pulls the jersey of Highlanders’ star midfielder Kudakwashe Mahachi at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Highlanders 1-0 FC Platinum
HIGHLANDERS FC’s new signing Kudakwashe Mahachi rose from the bench to score his first goal for the Bulawayo giants as they registered their second pre-season win against FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

Mahachi, who replaced Valentine Ndaba at the start of the second half, produced a moment of magic when he picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park, evaded two tackles and then sent a blistering 25-metre drive which beat a diving Tolbert Shumba in the 62nd minute.

That goal was enough to win the game for Bosso who played second fiddle to their opponents who by far were the better team of the day as they had more fluid passes and enjoyed superior ball possession.

FC Platinum should have taken the lead two minutes before halftime when Felix Chindungwe, making his first start for Bosso, brought down ex-Highlanders striker Njabulo Ncube in the box and referee Allan Bhasvi blew for a penalty.

Up stepped Ncube who was denied the goal from the spot kick by Highlanders’ goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda who dived to his left and punched the ball away.
At the stroke of halftime Sibanda was called into action, going full-length to his left to tip a Marshal Mudehwe curler from the left for a corner. The effort by FC Platinum’s attacking midfielder was destined for the bottom corner of the far post.

“That winning mentality is there in the team and the other positive thing we picked today is that of the ability to change play in the second half. What we need to do is to work on our attack,” said Highlanders’ stand-in coach Mark Mathe.

Chindungwe was resolute in central defence and no doubt his arrival has brought in some cover for Highlanders for that position and competition for a starting place at the centre is now intense.

Mathe rested Bruce Kangwa and played new acquisition Khumbulani Banda at leftback but he did not make any overlaps as he was restricted to a defensive role by FC Platinum who were attacking from all angles.

Joel “Josta” Ngodzo only played the first half before making way for Peter “Rio” Moyo at the start of the second half. Other new arrivals that started the match for Highlanders are Charles Sibanda, Ndaba and striker Mkhululi Dube.

Highlanders’ weakest point yesterday was the midfield where Mthulisi Maphosa, playing as an anchorman, failed to stamp his authority.
FC Platinum, who were playing their seventh friendly match of the year, displayed some breathtaking football, knocking the ball around, building from the back and even when they lost possession they were quick to track back.

The miners however failed to turn their dominance into goals as they found Highlanders’ defence hard to break. The Young Warriors duo of Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona, Mudehwe, Livingstone Genti and captain Donald Ngoma, were in firm control of the midfield and even after the introduction of Ali Sadiki, Tarisai Rukanda, Stephen Sibanda, Nelson Maziwisa and Simon Shoko in the second half, FC Platinum failed to breech the Highlanders defence.

FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa was happy with his players’ performance and said they needed to improve on their   finishing.
“This was a good game and everyone had a run. We failed to utilise our chances but I was impressed with how we managed to keep possession and tracking back. What we only need to do is to work on the final third. I think we are getting there bit by bit and this is the first match that we have failed to score having played six other friendly games.

“What we are trying to work on before the start of the season is to improve from where we were last season because we were bad travellers. Now we have a competitive squad that is capable of fighting for top honours this season,” Mutasa said.

Former Dynamos defender Gift Bello played the entire game for FC Platinum and true to Mutasa’s word, they have a strong squad. Thabani Kamusoko was an unused substitute with Daniel Vheremu, Obrey Chirwa, Aaron Katebe, Petros Mhari and Qadr Amin watching from the terraces.

Meanwhile, the Canadian players trying their luck at Bosso were part of the reserve team that lost 1-2 to Black Boots. Hillary Madzivanyika, Cleopas Dube, Ozias Zibanda, Knox Mutizwa and Munyaradzi Diya featured in the reserve team with old horse Zvenyika Makonese also playing with the trialists.

Teams

Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda (Njabulo Nyoni), Erick Mudzingwa, Dumisani Ndlovu (Innocent Mapuranga, 56th minute), Felix Chindungwe, Khumbulani Banda, Mthulisi Maphosa, Welcome Ndiweni, Joel Ngodzo (Peter Moyo, 46th minute), Valentine Ndaba (Kudakwashe Mahachi, 46th minute), Charles Sibanda (Milton Ncube, 46th minute), Mkhululi Dube (Gabriel Nyoni, 46th                 minute).

FC Platinum: Tolbert Shumba (Francis Tizayi, 67th minute), Raphael Muduviwa, Elvis Moyo, Gift Bello, James Marufu, Livingstone Genti (Simon Shoko, 53rd minute), Wisdom Mutasa (Stephen Sibanda, 53rd minute), Marshal Mudehwe, Njabulo Ncube (Tarisai Rukanda, 53rd minute), Donald Ngoma (Nelson Maziwisa, 59th minute), Walter Musona (Ali Sadiki, 53rd minute).