Zimpapers Logo

From Mzingaye Sibanda in BULAWAYO
Highlanders …………………. 0
FC Platinum …………………..0
(FC Platinum win 6-5 on penalties)
HIGHLANDERS’ pre-season woes continued as they were booted out of the Independence Cup by FC Platinum at Barbourfields yesterday. The match ended goalless in regulation time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Kuda Mahachi forced a straight save from FC Platinum goalkeeper Talbert Shumba, a former Highlanders junior player, while James Marufu made no mistake from the spot to book them a berth in the final in the sudden death shoot-out.

FC Platinum were a far much better side in this match.
Highlanders have suffered two back-to-back defeats at the hands of the platinum miners having gone down 0-2 in a friendly match the previous weekend.

FC Platinum started well and Obrey Chirwa forced Highlanders goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni to make a save just two minutes into the game.
Highlanders, on the other hand, failed to create clear chances and the midfield of Hillary Madzivanyika and Welcome Ndiweni played second fiddle to Thabani Kamusoko who was dominant in the middle of the park.

FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa reacted swiftly in the 46th minute by introducing Walter Musona for Chirwa.
Musona added more punch to the FC Platinum strike-force and troubled the Highlanders defenders.

The youngster was denied by the upright post after he swiftly connected a drop ball which was given after Welcome Ndiweni and Tatenda Mudehwe collided just outside the Highlanders box.

Former Highlanders striker Njabulo Ncube almost broke the hearts of his former paymasters after beating Innocent Mapuranga in the box only to shoot wide.

Highlanders upped the tempo of the game after the introduction of Mthulisi Maphosa for Ndiweni in the 65th minute.
Charles Sibanda was dropped to left link where he started to play more effectively and he was to be denied a goal by the cross bar in the 84th minute which would have been his first in Highlanders colours.

Cleopas Dube also hit the woodwork in the 90th minute as Bosso surged forward looking for the winner.
FC Platinum coach Mutasa praised his players for the first victory at Barboufields against Highlanders. “We took control of the midfield as we really planned for it but it was also a difficult match as Highlanders are a good side. We are happy as the boys have never won here before,” said Mutasa.

The Zvishavane outfit gaffer said their target is to scoop the trophy when they clash with Harare giants Dynamos in the final on Independence Day.
“No one does not want to win, so we are going for it and we want to work on the finishing aspect as this is the second game in our pre-season where we have failed to score,” he said.

Bosso stand-in coach Mark Mathe decided to give the media a blackout by rushing straight to the dressing room and refusing to come out for the after match interviews about where it could be going wrong for his expensively assembled side which is failing to gel.

Teams
Highlanders: N. Nyoni, S. Munawa, B. Kangwa, I. Mapuranga, D. Ndlovu, W. Ndiweni (M. Maphosa 65th minute), H. Madzivanyika (F. Chindungwe 86th minute), K. Mutizwa (C. Dube 57th minute), G. Nyoni, C. Sibanda

FC Platinum: T. Shumba, Q. Amini, T. Kamusoko, R. Mudehwe, J. Marufu, S. Shoko, G. Bello, O. Chirwa (W. Musona 46th minute), N. Ncube (N. Maziwisa 72nd minute), A. Sadiki (W. Mutasa 67th minute).