FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Dynamos FC . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
THE high-profile encounter between FC Platinum and Dynamos at Mandava Stadium yesterday was dramatically-abandoned, with referee Qedisani Dirwai once again at the centre of a storm after awarding a contentious late penalty that sparked the premature end to the match.
The incident occurred in the 75th minute with the score deadlocked at 1-1. Dirwai pointed to the spot, ruling that Dynamos defender Emmanuel Jalai had fouled Oscar Bhebhe inside the box.
This decision immediately drew fierce protests from the Dynamos contingent, leading to a lengthy stoppage.
Dirwai is no stranger to controversy, having previously awarded another late penalty that led to the abandonment of a match between Scottland and Chicken Inn.
The outcome of both games currently rests with the Zifa Disciplinary Committee.
After a prolonged period of Dynamos refusing to return to the field to allow the penalty to be taken, Dirwai officially ended the match shortly after 5pm.
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A fuming Dynamos coach, Saul Chaminuka, expressed his outrage in a post-match interview.
"Referees are cheating and there is no way that we can continue playing week-in and week-out when they keep giving away matches like that," he declared.
"They are not fair at all. Coaches are sick because of the manner in which they are handling matches and they just go scot-free. If they allowed that penalty to be taken, they would have just gone scot-free. At least the match commissioner has something to write about. Let's see what the match commissioner is going to say about this game."
His counterpart, Norman Mapeza of FC Platinum, offered a contrasting view, arguing that abandoning matches in protest of referee decisions reflects poorly on local football.
"If you're going to walk out of the pitch, we're not solving anything. It has happened to us; I'm not saying because it happened to the other players today and it's okay. It has happened to us. Matches where maybe goals were scored from offside, maybe another team was given penalties or maybe we were denied penalties, but we can't walk out of the pitch. We can't. Let's just continue this play, we never know what might happen. But I don't think it's good for football at the moment."
Earlier in the match, Dynamos had taken an early lead in the fourth minute when Vusa Ngwenya rose highest to head home a Temptation Chiwunga free-kick, awarded after Thubelihle Jubane had tripped Enasio Pereso Jr in a dangerous position.
FC Platinum's best chance of the first half fell to Oscar Bhebhe, who, after some fancy footwork to create space in the box, could only find the side netting.
Four minutes into the second half, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya capitalised on a mistake by Dynamos captain Shadreck Nyahwa to draw FC Platinum level.
Nyahwa's attempt to head the ball back to his goalkeeper, Pride Tafiremutsa, was intercepted by Ngwenya, who calmly rolled the ball into the back of the net for his eighth goal of the season.
The hosts could have added another soon after the restart, but Ngwenya failed to beat Tafiremutsa in a one-on-one situation.
Oscar Bhebhe also had a brilliant run into space on the hour mark but opted for a shot at goal instead of passing to an open teammate, sending it wide.
The match then built to its controversial climax with the penalty decision for Oscar Bhebhe's fall, leading to the abandonment.
The outcome means that FC Platinum's unbeaten run at the halfway stage of the league race remains intact, though the manner of its preservation will undoubtedly be a talking point for weeks to come.
Teams:
FC Platinum: W. Magalane, T. Ndlovu, N. Nyasulu, M. Ndlovu, B. Nzori, T. Jubane (C. Tshuma 65'), H. Magaya, P. Shoko, D. Marowa (J. Selemani 72'), T. Ngwenya, O. Bhebhe
Dynamos: P. Tafiremutsa, T. Magwaza (E. Jalai 70'), A. Gwatidzo, S. Nyahwa, G. Mandivei, B. Jeriman (K. Madera 70'), T. Pio, T. Chiwunga, E. Perezo, F. Agmeyang (F. Agmeyang 45'), R. Ngwenya
