FC Platinum (1)2
Scotland FC (2)5
In a stunning turn of events that was celebrated like a title victory, Scotland FC made a powerful statement of intent by handing FC Platinum their first defeat of the season.
The visitors secured a dramatic 5-2 victory in a tense Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
For 22 matches, FC Platinum had been invincible, but on this fateful day, Scotland FC proved too strong.
Goals from Tymon Machope, Walter Musona, Moses Shidolo, and Albert Manenji ended the home side's remarkable unbeaten streak.
FC Platinum's goals from Shepherd Mhlanga and Wilfred Muvirimi were not enough to save them from a comprehensive defeat.
Despite the emphatic scoreline, Scotland FC gaffer Tonderai Ndiraya was not entirely pleased with his team's defensive performance.
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"I don't know if 5-2 is convincing, but it would have been convincing for me if it was 5-0," Ndiraya said.
"At 5-2, I thought FC Platinum were getting back into the game.
“We conceded two goals that I felt were avoidable, especially from the wide areas.
“It's not very pleasing. But a good show, a good performance from the team.
“We play football to score goals, and we saw some very good goals today.
“The plan was very clear—FC Platinum have an identity where they pass the ball around.
“For us, it was a matter of containing them and waiting for the right moments to counter-press and attack.
“Most of our goals came from defensive mistakes due to the pressure our players were applying."
His counterpart, Norman Mapeza, admitted that this was the first time in his coaching career that he had lost a match by a five-goal margin.
"In my coaching career, to lose 5-2, it's my first time," Mapeza stated.
"But look, we have to give credit to Scotland. They managed to make use of the chances we gave them.
“I'm not sure about the penalty kick because we were all in shock. You could see it from the body language of the players.
“But look, that's for the referee to make a decision. We scored a good goal, and after that, we gave away possession again.
“They scored the second goal. But it's a game of football. We're not giving up; we have to keep fighting and see how this season goes."
Scotland FC surged ahead as early as the ninth minute from a penalty.
Goalkeeper David Bizabani was adjudged to have fouled Walter Musona in the box, and the Scotland FC captain calmly stepped up to slot the ball home.
FC Platinum quickly took control of the game, and their pressure paid off in the 32nd minute.
Midfielder Shepherd Mhlanga restored parity with a forceful tap-in after Scotland FC's defenders failed to clear what looked like a harmless cross.
The momentum shifted again just before halftime. Tymon Machope demonstrated a moment of brilliance, outpacing FC Platinum's right-back Thubelihle Ndlovu on the counter before slotting the ball past Bizabani in the 42nd minute.
Scotland FC went into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Machope was on fire and made it three shortly after the restart, capitalising on an error by Bizabani.
The forward blocked the goalkeeper's poor clearance and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net.
The visitors sealed their dominance in the 63rd minute when Moses Shidolo scored the fourth goal after receiving a defence-splitting pass from Mafious Chihweta.
FC Platinum managed to pull a goal back in the 83rd minute with a header from Wilfred Muvirimi from a corner-kick curled in by Claivert Tshuma, but it was too little, too late.
Scotland FC added a fifth goal through Albert Manenji, completing their impressive 5-2 rout.
Team Lineups
FC Platinum: D Bizabani, T Ndlovu, N Nyasulu, M Ndlovu, T Jubani (C Tshuma 56'), H Magaya, S Mhlanga, M Ngwenya, J Selemani, V Nyangulu (W Muvirimi 56'), D Marowa (J Nguluve 82')
Scotland FC: K Shangiwa, K Moyo, K Mureremba (P Muduhwa 90+), G Murwira, G Madhake, M Msebe (P Mutimbanyoka 76'), T Dzvukamanja (K Billiat 75'), W Musona (K Musona 76'), A Manenji, T Machope (M Chihweta 55'), M Shidolo
