FC PLATINUM.......... (1) 1
TRIANGLE.................(0) 1
CHAMPIONS FC PLATINUM were left to rue a tale of missed chances after they were forced to a 1-1 draw by Triangle at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
The Norman Mapeza-coached side could have sealed the match in the first half but their forwards took turns to waste chances, which ultimately cost them the victory.
FC Platinum surged ahead after 30 minutes courtesy of Juan Mutudza, who found the back of the net from close range after receiving a delightful pass from Nomore Chinyerere.
For the entire half, the Mapeza-coached side dominated in terms of possession with Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya and Walter Musona coming near in quick succession moments before the break.
For the lowveld side, it was Wilson Mensah and Joe Nyabinde that were a menace in the first half, but goals were elusive.
Triangle coach Thomas Ruzive tinkered with his team at the break, introducing midfielder Wellington Taderera for Wayne Makuva.
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Taderera made an instant impact as he partnered with Mensah, providing clean balls to the Ghanaian.
And it paid dividends in the 72nd minute when Mensah restored parity, benefiting from a quick attack that involved Jameson Mukombwe and Taderera.
Triangle held fort to salvage a point. Perfect Chikwende threatened to give the home side the win, but his headed effort missed the target by inches.
Mapeza was disappointed by his men.
"It was a good game of football. We missed chance after chance and the unfortunate part is that they just got that opportunity and they buried it.
"We talked about this during the half-time break that they will bury the only chance they get.
"We got so many opportunities to have killed off the game in the first 20 minutes, but we will take the point and move on," Mapeza said.
His counterpart Thulani Sibanda was satisfied with the result.
"We showed good character to come back from a goal down and equalize and come out with a point at Mandava. That's an achievement," Sibanda said.
"I thought we lost the plot in the first half, we gave them too much respect. We were allowing their central defenders to start the ball from behind.
"We allowed the whole team to circulate the ball. So at half time, we agreed to stop those build-ups. We have the quality. When we won the ball, we decided to use the wings; we have Mensah and Wayne who have pace. I think that worked for us," Thulani Sibanda said.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures
Friday: ZPC Kariba 0-3 Manica Diamonds
Yesterday: Fuel 2-3 Ngezi Platinum, FC, Platinum 1-1 Triangle, Hwange 1-0 Cranborne Bullets, Yadah 0-2 Highlanders, Black Rhinos 0-0 Herentals
Today: Dynamos v Bulawayo Chiefs (National Sports Stadium), Chicken Inn v Caps United (Babourfields), Sheasham v Simba Bhora (Mandava)
