YADAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Khama Billiat marked his return from suspension with an injury-time goal to help Yadah rescue a point against visiting FC Platinum in a league match at Heart Stadium yesterday.
With the point FC Platinum moved top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log.
A 75th minute goal by Juan Mutudza appeared to be enough for the former champions to collect maximum points, but Billiat produced a moment of magic in the 91st minute to help his team avoid defeat.
The Zvishavane based-side have 25 points, the same number as Manica Diamonds who play Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium today.
The draw came in Yadah's second match without tasting defeat after last week's 2-0 win over Arenel Movers. The Miracle Boys are now ranked 12th with 14 points.
Billiat returned to the starting lineup after missing the club's last two matches due to suspension and the former Warriors star’s name reverberated around the Heart Stadium at kick off. The home side appeared to feed off that positive vibe as they came off the blocks flying and could have taken an early lead when Mutudza lost possession in a dangerous area, but Mandlenkosi Mlilo failed to capitalise as he fired wide from a good range.
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However, the former champions soon found their gear as they mesmerised their opponents with their trademark slick passing football.
They enjoyed a period of pressure with Davison Marowa causing a lot of problems at the wing, but the closest they came to scoring in the first half was in 36th minute when Panashe Mutimbanyoka laid the ball for Wilfred Muvirimi who hit the upright.
Billiat was generally quiet in the first half, but his quality shone early in the second half when he collected a pass and with one deft touch, beat his marker before laying a pass for Evans Rusike, but the striker could not hit the target with only the keeper to beat.
The glaring miss was almost punished at the other end when Marowa and Muvirimi raved through on goal but the latter could not find his teammate with an attempted square pass and the chance also went begging.
Marowa continued to make a nuisance on the left wing. He drew a foul from Anotida Gwatidzo in the 74th minute. From the resultant free kick, the ball bounced off Mutudza and into the back of the net as the visitors took a deserved lead.
The hosts looked to respond with Billiat finding substitute King Nadolo but he failed to make full use of the opportunity.
And just when it looked like FC Platinum would go away with all the three points, Billiat produced a moment of magic with a crisp low shot that nestled into the bottom left corner to rescue a point for his team.
Teams
Yadah: G Munhupedzi, A Gwatidzo, C Mandivei, A Makopa, E Chitauro, K Billiat, B Ndereki, M Mushonga (R Ncube, 84'), M Mlilo (K Nadolo, 60'), E Rusike (J Chipangura, 78'), V Sango.
FC Platinum: D Bizabani, B Nzori, L Mhlanga, R Pavari, O Bhebhe, H Magaya, B Banda, J Mutudza, D Marowa (J Selemani, 75'), P Mutimbanyoka, W Muvirimi
Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 13 Results
Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 CAPS United
Yadah 1-1 FC Platinum
Telone 1-1 Chicken Inn
Chegutu Pirates 1-2 Ngezi Platinum
Simba Bhora 0-0 Herentals
Green Fuel 1-1 Bikita Minerals
Hwange 0-0 ZPC Kariba
Today
Highlanders v Manica Diamonds
Dynamos v Arenel Movers
