Herentals fall to FC Platinum
Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
HERENTALS coach Paul Benza says his charges need to start scoring goals to turn around their fortunes after suffering a home defeat at the hands of pacesetters, FC Platinum at Rufaro yesterday.
Benza, who was thrust into the hot seat following the departure of Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, is still to taste victory after his team lost two and drew once in their opening three games.
The Students are the only team yet to score in the current campaign and yesterday they fell to a 50th minute strike by Brian Banda.
Despite the defeat to the former champions, Benza was still optimistic his team would eventually find their winning formula as the season progressed.
“The match was balanced, especially in the first half,” he said yesterday.
“Unfortunately, we conceded early in the second half and the match took a wrong turn. But overall, I’m happy with the youngsters because they gave a good show, taking the game to FC Platinum for 90 minutes.
“I think all that is needed at the moment is maybe mother luck for us to be able to convert our chances and bury them because we have played well. This is our third game and we failed to get even a simple goal. But, generally, I’m happy with the team’s performance,” said Benza.
FC Platinum compounded Herentals’ woes as the Students remained rooted at the basement with a single point from three starts.
Despite their struggles, the Students had the first real scoring opportunity in the 26th minute when Godfrey Mukambi bossed Juan Mutudza off the ball before Dreamer Liyeto charged into the box and made a delightful drawback which somehow found no takers, as the ball rolled out across the face of goal.
After a barren first half, in which the platinum miners failed to register a single shot on target, midfielder Banda broke the deadlock in the 50th minute after dragging the ball wide of the goalkeeper Nevermind Antonio following a shoddy piece of defensive work from Mukambi and crew inside the penalty box.
FC Platinum got the boost they needed from the goal and Panashe Mutimbanyoka then flew his effort just over the crossbar.
Herentals almost benefited from a defensive lapse by the visitors with 20 minutes of regulation time remaining, but Godfrey Mukambi’s header was deflected out for a corner kick.
Forward Oscar Bhabhe also had a good opportunity to double FC Platinum’s tally from the edge of the box with a first-time shot that we just wide of the left upright.
There were signs of frustration on Herentals players as the hosts turned a bit physical, forcing the referee Ronald Chinyani to dish out some yellow cards to cool the tempers down.
Herentals continued to battle to salvage the game and Tafadzwa Jim knew he could have done better after he took a wild shot that went horribly off the target as FC Platinum retreated to protect a priceless point. FC Platinum consolidated their place at the top of the table with their third win in four games. They now have 10 points while Herentals arrest is still on one. Norman Mapeza was ecstatic with yesterday’s win, which came on the back of a 2-2 home draw with Chicken Inn last Thursday.
“I think in terms of ball possession in the first half we were far ahead but it didn’t yield anything. We never had a shot on target; had poor decision-making, had no breakthroughs, and rushed our decisions.
“Second half, I spoke to the guys; look we had five guys attacking and for 45 minutes no shot target. What’s your objective at the end of the day as strikers, as wingers?
“So, in the second half, we started well to get that goal and then we had some moments on the breaks where we could have done better.
“The game could have gone either way. They (Herentals) had their chances, I would say half chances, but at the end of the day this was our second game in a space of five days and the boys worked so hard.”
Teams:
Herentals FC: Nevermind Antonio, Tinashe Mupumha, Peter Chota, William Kapumha (L. Gobvu, 62nd min), Joseph Chitavira, Godfrey Mukambi, Ryan Kanavheti (T. Dhlakama, 81st min), Milton Chimedza (E. Dombo, 62nd min), Tinotenda Benza, Dreamer Liyeto (L. Daka, 62nd min), Tafadzwa Jim (J. Zhuwawu, 81st min)
FC Platinum: Wallace Magalane, M. Ngwenya, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Lawrence Mhlanga, Shepherd Mhlanga (R. Pavari, 76th min), Hagiazo Magaya, Brian Banda, Juan Mutudza, Davison Marowa (J. Selemani, 86th min), Oscar Bhebhe, Panashe Mutimbanyoka (W. Muvirimi, 71st min)
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