FC PLATINUM...............(0) 2
BIKITA MINERALS.........(0) 2
PSL newboys Bikita Minerals put up a vintage performance in the second-half to force a 2-2 draw against FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
The Lithium Boys were two goals down early in the second-half, after Juan Mutudza and Davison Marowa scored for FC Platinum.
Liberty Masveure pulled one back after 71 minutes from a Masimba Mambare throw-in before Chris Makambira equalised with a screamer from outside the box in the 86th minute.
This is FC Platinum's second draw with a similar scoreline after their 2-2 draw with Arenel Movers last week.
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Bikita Minerals gaffer Saul Chaminuka was on cloud nine after his men showed character to avoid defeat.
"It's a game where we gave away two easy goals. Then I think we showed character from two goals down to 2-2. It was a good fighting spirit.
" I think we are gelling as we go. It was a very difficult game. Well done to the boys, they did well. Anyone in our team will score, I am happy to have them. I look at my team, and see that we dictate games even those that we lose," Chaminuka said.
Norman Mapeza said "it's two points dropped" rather than a point gained. He said: "We really struggled in the first half, but in the second half I thought we got those early goals but again, we let in some soft goals .
"We could have done better from a throw in. The second goal as well. "We need to keep working hard.
"The guys worked hard especially in the first half and we got good chances. We could have scored two more goals. Today it's two points that were dropped .".
In this one, coach Norman Mapeza started with Felix Moyo in the right back position, while Shepard Mhlanga held fort in midfield along with Brian Banda and Juan Mutudza.
Mapeza came into this one expecting a tough task. The Platinum miners got their first chance after 18 minutes when Wilfred Muvirimi was brought down 10 yards from the box. The free kick was taken by Brian Banda but it was cleared off.
In truth, the first half was a balanced affair as the two sides remained deadlocked at the break. But the four-time PSL winners came from the break with a sting in their tail.
And they got two goals in five minutes. First was Juan Mutudza who broke the deadlock on the 52 minute mark from close range.
Five minutes later, Davison Marowa doubled the scores as the miners took full charge of proceedings. But Saul Chaminuka made two quick substitutions that changed the complexion of the game.
He introduced seasoned players Masimba Mambare and Praise Tonha for Allen Gahadzikwa and Barnabas Mtuche in the 64th minute.
The duo proved to be a menace as they influenced both goals to salvage a point.
Teams
FC PLATINUM: David Bizabani, Felix Moyo, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Lawrence Mhlanga, Brian Banda, Shepherd Mhlanga, Juan Mutudza, Oscar Bhebhe(Brian Kusinyera [0'), Panashe Mutimbanyoka(Jarrison Selemani 90), Wilfred Muvirimi.
BIKITA MINERALS: Francis Tizayi, Blessing Kagudu, Prince Milanzi, Carlton Munzambwa, Dennis Nhongo, Barnabas Mtuche(Praise Tonha 64'), Allen Gahadzikwa(Masimba Mambare 64') , Benedict Bera, Evans Katema, Chris Makambira, Liberty Masveure.