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THE BALL IS MINE . . . Aaron Katebe (left ) shields the ball away from CAPS United’s Tafadzwa Mahori during yesterday’s match at Mandava. — (Picture by Paul Mundandi)

Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane

FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

(FC Platinum won 6-5

after penalties)

HOLDERS FC Platinum stayed on course for the defence of their Independence Cup title after they held their nerve to overcome CAPS United in a closely contested semi-final tie at Mandava yesterday.

The platinum miners will now face Dynamos in a repeat of last year’s final and their coach Norman Mapeza warned the Premiership kings to brace for a big fight on Saturday.

Mapeza has been insisting that his club attaches a lot of significance to the tournament and would want to retain the silverware in their trophy cabinet.

After both sides had been deadlocked in regulation time and with no extra time, it meant the game had to be settled via the lottery and it was the hosts who prevailed to set up a date with Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium.

The miners scored their penalties through Allan Gahadzikwa, Thabani Kamusoko, Raphael Muduviwa, Wellington Kamudyariwa, Kelvin Moyo and Simon Shoko.

FC Platinum’s Zambian import Aaron Katebe was, however, unlucky as his effort crashed against the crossbar after sending goalkeeper Criss Mverechena the wrong way.

CAPS United, who were technically the home team saw Rodreck Mutuma, Dominic Mukandi, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Moses Muchenje and Stephen Makatuka beating Francis Tizayi with their efforts.

Tizayi was however, the hero for FC Platinum with the former Masvingo United goalkeeper keeping out the kicks from Crispen Machisi and Leonard Fiyado.

The CAPS United fans will particularly be disappointed by Fiyado who could have sealed the game for their team but chose to be stylish and shot weakly at goal resulting in Tizayi saving his effort.

Both teams had a sloppy first half and only came to life in the second period with the platinum miners enjoying the better of the exchanges and could have won the match in regulation time had they been so accurate at goal.

Emmanuel Mandiranga could have won the match for his team three minutes from time when he shook off his marker on the right before sending a powerful shot that saw Mverechena going airborne to tip the effort out for a corner which they failed to utilise.

Yesterday’s win was probably sweet revenge for the Zvishavane outfit who lost to their opponents in a Premiership title in Harare three weeks ago.

Veteran Daniel Veremu and new signing Philemon Mudena played their first match for FC Platinum this season and the two were impressive while Tinovimba Muskwe, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Moses Muchenje, Mutuma and substitute Machisi were outstanding for CAPS United shining for Caps United.

The victory also brought a smile back on Mapeza and his team’s fans after the miners suffered a 1-3 defeat to visiting Chicken Inn in the league last Saturday. CAPS United coach Mark Harrison was putting up a brave face after the defeat and praised his charges for a good show.

“We have travelled more than 2 000 kilometres in three days. It was a great display from my boys and I am really proud of them. We played better but penalties are a lottery.

“We lost today in a penalty shoot-out and I remember one day we were celebrating after beating Dynamos in a penalty shoot out and that is what we call football,” Harrison said.

Harrison also noted an improved in his players’ attitude despite the problems rocking their camp.

“A lot of things are going on at CAPS United but I am happy that when we returned from Triangle I managed to talk to my players. Our preparations before the Triangle match were poor and I am happy that today it was different,” said the Englishman.

Teams:

CAPS United: C Mverechena, H. Zvirekwi (C Machisi 76th minute ),R Matova (T Mahori), S Makatuka, C Munzabwa, D Mukandi, M Muchenje, R Pfumbidzai, T Muskwe (L Fiyado 59th minute ),R Mutuma, V Musarurwa

FC Platinum: F Tizayi, D Veremu (A Katebe 68th minute ),I Nekati (R Muduviwa 69th minute ),P Mudena, K Moyo, T Kamusoko, A Gahadzikwa, T Dzumbunu (W Kamudyariwa ,S Shoko,T Rukanda, E Mandiranga