FC PLATINUM.................. (0)0
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS. (0)0
TITLE contenders FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars settled for a 0-0 draw in a well-attended pulsating Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played at Mandava stadium yesterday.
The two teams came into this one riding on a rich vein of form. FC Platinum won four of their last five matches while Ngezi cruised nicely, with seven straight wins.
As such, FC Platinum remained on top of the PSL standings with 39 points, while the Mhondoro-Ngezi outfit maintained their second with 34 points.
When the match started, FC Platinum had the upper hand in the opening exchanges, with their neat and fast passing game. On the other hand, Ngezi remained calm, absorbing pressure.
FC Platinum got their first chance on the 15th minute, when Davison Marowa picked Panashe Mutimbanyoka unmarked in the box, but the latter failed to use the chance, only twisting and turning before being thwarted by Carlos Mavhurume.
Two minutes later Obriel Chirinda beat FC Platinum's Mbongeni Ndlovu on the wing before a cut back into the box, but Malvin Gaki who failed to compliment the effort, as the ball rolled out of play.
FC Platinum could have been leading in the 23rd minute but Jarrison Selemani's goal-bound effort from range was tipped over the bar by goalie Nelson Chadya.
Four minutes later, Marvellous Mukumba missed a sitter failing to beat David Bizabani, who was exposed after a counter attack that was spurred by Chirinda.
They were deadlocked going into the second half. And the second half turned out to be a see-saw affair, with both teams failing to use their chances.
Gaki and Takunda Benhura wasted good opportunities for the visitors while Selemani and Panashe Mutimbanyoka were wasteful for the hosts.
However coach Norman Mapeza was pleased with the result.
"In games of this magnitude, you have to be very cautious. It was a good game of football, we had their chances, they had theirs," Mapeza said.
"We didn’t have any problems. At the end of the day, I am happy with the point. Of course, we were playing at home and usually we expect maximum points.
"We missed three of our regular players, but those guys that came in did very well. I'm more than happy with the point. It was a good game, chances are created in the game but at the end of the day, it’s how you use them that matters."
His counterpart, Takesure Chiragwi echoed the same sentiments. "I think we played well, we respect the points that we got, though I feel we should have collected maximum points because of the chances we created, we had four clear chances," he said.
"That is how it is in football if you do not take your chances but we are happy that we also did not concede."
TEAMS
FC PLATINUM XI: D. Bizabani, B. Nzori, M. Ndlovu, R. Pavari, A. Chirinda(D. Mhindirira 85'), H. Magaya, P. Shoko, P. Mutimbanyoka, D. Marowa(S. Mhlanga 76'), J. Selemani, T. Ngwenya( W. Muvirimi 76')
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS: N. Chadya, R. Hachiro, L. Kashitigu, O. Chirinda, C. Mavhurume, T. Benhura(M. Demera 75'), M. Gaki(Q. Amini 75'), N.Tigere, F. Madhanhanga, M. Mukumba, K.Chigwida