FC PLATINUM came back from behind to register their first win at Barbourfields Stadium since promotion to the top-flight when they beat Highlanders 2-1 in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match on Thursday.
BY FORTUNE MBELE HIGHLANDERS . . . . (1) 1 FC PLATINUM . . . . . (1) 2
The win for FC Platinum came when many thought the Bulawayo giants had found a new vein of form after they hammered How Mine 5-1 at Emagumeni last Sunday, but that was not to be as they exhibited one of their worst displays at home.
The platinum miners closed the gap on Dynamos whom they now trail by a single point and remain on fourth spot on the log standings with 34 points after going on a 11-match unbeaten run.
Knox Mutizwa scored for Highlanders as early as the fourth minute to notch his 10th goal of the season.
It was a sleek header past FC Platinum goalkeeper Petros Mhari from an Obadiah Tarumbwa cross when Bosso threatened to overrun their opponents.
But the visitors quickly settled and managed to contain the Bulawayo giants.
FC Platinum exposed Highlanders for poor marking in midfield as overlapping left-back Elvis Moyo received a through pass from Allen Gahadzikwa and shot past Bosso shot stopper Njabulo Nyoni.
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The second goal came just after the breather from a quick counter-attack after Bosso right-back Peter Muduhwa’s clearance found Platinum forward Tarisai Rukanda who got the better of poorly-positioned central defender Douglas Sibanda before slotting the ball past Nyoni in the 62nd minute to decide the match.
Rukanda was pulled out injured and replaced by Stephen Sibanda after a crude tackle by Nqobizitha Masuku which earned him a yellow card from referee Mlindeli Ndebele.
FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza said they had trooped to Barbourfields in search of a win.
He has never lost at the venue even during his days at the now-defunct Monomotapa.
“I have never lost a game here (BF). We came here looking for a positive result. We just need to keep working hard. We must not lose focus and keep everything in God’s hands,” Mapeza said.
“Only God knows our destiny.”
He said it was rather unfortunate and disrespectful for Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu to say FC Platinum had played pathetic football in their 2-0 win over Hwange last Saturday at Mandava Stadium.
He said tongue in cheek: “I think today our display was pathetic.”
But FC Platinum played better football than Highlanders in all departments and Mafu admitted his defence was sloppy and conceded soft goals.
“We did not defend well. We were very sloppy in defending which resulted in simple goals. Knox (Mutizwa) works very hard, but he cannot do it by himself. We created chances, but we did not take them. Last week (against How Mine), we took our chances,” Mafu said.
It was only in the first few minutes of the game that Highlanders showed any intention of scoring with FC Platinum all over the Bulawayo giants for the better part of the game as Winston Mhango controlled the midfield.
The introduction of King Nadolo, Edmore Muzanenhamo and Masuku for Rahman Kutsanzira, Godfrey Makaruse and Tendai Ngulube in the second half did not change the game for Highlanders.
TEAMS
HIGHLANDERS: N Nyoni, P Muduhwa, H Moyo, D Sibanda, F Chindungwe, T Ngulube (N Masuku 68’), K Mutizwa, S Munawa, O Tarumbwa, G Makaruse (K Nadolo 46’), R Kutsanzira (E Muzanenhamo 46’) FC PLATINUM: P Mhari, R Muduviwa, G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo, G Takwara, W Mhango, A Gahadzikwa, T Mudehwe (E Mandiranga), B Muzondiwa ( S Shoko 90+’), T Rukanda (S Sibanda 85’)
