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FC Platinum, inspired by the presence of Rahman Gumbo who is likely to be named their coach tomorrow, reclaimed second position on the Castle Lager log table when they dispatched visiting Zimbabwe Saints at Maglas yesterday.
FC Platinum won the day via the effort of their top goal scorer Charles Sibanda who scored his sixth of the season 20 minutes into the game.
Sibanda volleyed home a beauty following a neat lay up by defender Lincolin Zvasiya who controlled the ball from a corner kick by Joel Ngodzo and, with many expecting him to blast at goal, unselfishly passed the ball to the Soccer Star of the Year.
Sibanda then responded with a fine effort, which should rank as one of the best goals to be scored at Maglas this season
“I feel motivated to have scored the winning goal. It is one of my best goals this season.
“Our coach had asked us to play the match for him and I am happy that we managed to do that. I dedicate the goal to our technical bench and I would like to thank our supporters and the whole Zvishavane community for rallying behind us” said Sibanda
It was also a good day in office for interim coach Patrick Mandizha who was thrust into the hot seat following a defeat FC Platinum in their previous match against Motor Action last Wednesday.
Fans had asked for the acting coach Philani Mabhena to step down as they were not amused by the defeat.
Mabhena had guided the team to victories against Shabanie Mine, Black Mambas, Blue Ribbon and two draws with CAPS United (away) Chicken Inn at home.
He also suffered a loss to Gunners at home and it was that match which set ala-rm bells ringing as the Premiership moneybags who had games in hand fluffed opportunities to go top of the table.
Yesterday, Mandizha only made one change to the team introducing Joel “Josta” Ngodzo for the former Black Rhinos and Highlanders midfielder Menard Mupera.
Ngodzo repaid the faith shown in him with a good peformance that troubled the former Dynamos pair of Danisa Phiri and defender Tafadzwa Maingire each time he was in possession.
Benjamin Marere who also had a good day in office did not last the match after he was poked in the eye and Mandizha was forced to substitute him in the 39th minute.
Nkotozo Tshuma, who is on loan to Zimbabwe SaintS from FC Platinum, had a crack at goal in the 27th minute but Tafadzwa Dube was equal to the task as he made a double save to deny the visitors an equaliser.
Zimbabwe Saints meant business and could have equalised through Chipo Tsodzo who broke loose on the right and let go a grass mower that hit the left upright post with goalkeeper Dube on the wrong side of the action.
The rebound was, however, cleared by the alert FC Platinum defence in the 30th minute.
Tsodzo nearly had the ball in the nets in the 46th minute when he was gifted a pass by defender Norman Togara on the edge of the box.
He blasted a shot that hit the right upright and the rebound was punched for a corner by goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube.
Tshuma was giving the FC Platinum defence anxious moments each time he was in possession and with a bit of luck he could have got his name on the score sheet. Tsodzo thought he had finally found a goal for the visitors the 76th minute when he beat Dube with a glancing header but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The Saints bench was not happy with the decision and he exchanged words with the FC Platinum threatening to beat them up and challenging them to come to the dressing room for a fight.
Ngodzo could have had his name on the scoresheet when he won the ball in midfield and sent a volley that just missed the crossbar in the 77th minute with Saints goalkeeper Tichaona Diya on the other side of the action
Tsodzo, who was a menace to the Platinum defence, again dispossessed FC Platinum captain Zephaniah Ngodzo when he slipped deep in his half.
Tsodzo released a shot that saw Dube equal to the task making a fine save in the 89th minute.
Saints coach Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo looked very disappointed and refused to comment on the match.
But former Shabanie Mine forward Mandizha was on cloud nine.
“It is difficult to play a normal game especially after losing. We had to scrap for a win after making one positional change. It is a great feeling to me and it improves my CV,” said the 33-year old coach .
Former Warriors mentor Gumbo, who ahs been lured back from Bostwana, watched the match from the VIP arena yesterday together with his family and according to sources he is likely to take over the post of head coach at FC Platinum tomorrow.
Teams
FC Platinum
T. Dube, Z. Ngodzo, L. Zvasiya, D. Veremu, C. Sibanda, B. Ncube, T. Kamusoko, M. Mupera, J. Ngodzo, D. Ngoma (N Maroto 90th ), B. Marere (A. Marime 39th )
Zimbabwe Saints
M. Diya, C. Tsodzo, D. Phiri, T. Maingire, N. Thsuma, L. Kurauzvione, B. Chikaka, G. Phiri (P Sithole 58th ), P. Muzondo, A. Mbaiwa (C. Ndebele 75th), M. Phakati (J. Nyama 75th ).