BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE/NUNURAI JENA CHAMPIONS FC Platinum bolstered their chances of reclaiming the league title after two first half goals saw them claim crucial points against Harare City at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Budding forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya gave the visitors a first minute lead with a well taken goal before midfielder Innocent Muchaneka added the second one five minutes before half time to seal the points for the defending champions.
The win saw the Zvishavane based side stretch their impressive unbeaten run to 10 matches and the club’s only blemish during the period is last week’s draw with Dynamos at the same venue.
Otherwise Norman Mapeza’s boys have won nine of their last 10 games and are now red hot favourites to lift the championship for the fourth consecutive season.
More majestic has been FC Platinum’s defence, which is yet to concede a goal in the 10 matches in question.
At Nyamhunga Stadium, second-placed Chicken Inn winless streak continued when they were held to a nil-all draw by ZPC Kariba yesterday as they fell further behind pacesetters FC Platinum.
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Both teams failed to break the stalemate in a game of few chances.
Chicken Inn had good chances in the first half, but were let down by their strike force of Clive Augusto and Brian Muza.
In the second half ZPC came back more on the offensive and could have taken the lead in the 60th minute when Bright Chayambuka’s free kick just outside the box was well dealt with by outstanding Chicken Inn keeper Donovan Bernard.
Another ZPC Kariba chance to go in front was fluffed by substitute Tapiwa Chiunye whose shot on the run missed the upright by inches.
Chicken Inn had their best chances in the last 10 minutes of the match when they dominated play but a good George Majika shot was well saved by ZPC Kariba keeper Tapiwa Chilenga.
But Chicken Inn coach Joe Antipas refused to throw in the towel on the destiny of the championship.
“Half a loaf is better than none when we look at where we are coming from a defeat against Dynamos. At least we managed to rescue a point because sometimes defeats drain confidence,” he said.
“On championship you never know with football remember we were flying high, but we hit a bad patch and the team flying high today can also do the same. There are still many games to play before the championship is decided.”