FC PLATINUM.............(1)3
ARENEL MOVERS.......(1)1
FC PLATINUM reclaimed top spot in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after putting up a masterclass to outsmart Arenel Movers at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
A first half goal by defender Mbongeni Ndlovu and second half strikes by Juan Mutudza and Jarrison Selemani powered Norman Mapeza's men back from a goal down to the crucial win.
On the other hand Polite Mwenda grabbed the consolation goal for the Bulawayo side that succumbed to their first league defeat since Philani Ncube took over last month.
The win means FC Platinum take back pole position with 45 points, one point ahead of Simba Bhora who drew 1-1 with Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium.
And Mapeza gave rave reviews after his men's performance.
"It was a massive game after conceding early, that was their only chance in the game and they managed to score. He seemed to have used his hand to score but at the end, after our loss to Caps United in Harare, we needed to respond and the guys did just that," he said.
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"It could have been more than three goals. We had so many opportunities. Even against Caps we had many chances. But we keep working hard and take games as they come."
His counterpart, Ncube strangely claimed that he knew they were going to lose at Mandava stadium.
"One thing for sure is that we were playing a team with almost everything but we matched them. One thing for sure is that we failed to play the second ball, where they got the equaliser," he said.
"But well, we knew that we were going to lose but we didn't know the margin. We are going to keep fighting, if we are getting relegated then it will be on the last day of the season."
Bruised from their defeat to Caps United last week, FC Platinum came into this one bubbling with eagerness to correct their mistakes.
They knew it would not be an easy walk in the park considering how Arenel came back from behind to force a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.
As such, the visitors gave a statement on intent as they broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after being awarded a free-kick which FC Platinum failed to deal with before Mwenda scored.
The platinum miners restored parity on the stroke of half-time via Ndlovu, who slotted the ball home from a rebound after goalie Aaron Ngwenya spilled Jarrison Selemani's shot from range.
Exactly seven minutes after the reastrt, Panashe Mutimbanyoka made an impressive solo run before releasing Mutudza, who finished off the move with ease, leaving the Arenel goalie rooted at one spot.
Selemani made it three for the hosts heading home an inch-perfect Mutimbanyoka cross.
Today’s fixtures
Hwange v Chegutu Pirates (15:00)
Highlanders v Ngezi Platinum (15:00)
Manica Diamonds v Herentals (15:00 )
