FC Platinum, Dembare off to a good start

Norman Mapeza Resigns As FC Platinum Coach ⋆ Pindula News — Norman Mapeza

Zim Now Writer

Defending Premier Soccer League champions FC Platinum overcame new boys Simba Bhora by a 2-1 margin to set their campaign for a fifth straight championship. The match, in which the Shamva-based Simba Bhora were first to score through veteran Ronald Chitiyo, was played at the National Sports Stadium Saturday noon.

However, Platinum’s Juan Mutudza came to the rescue of the Zvishavane miners by grabbing a brace and bagging three points from their opening match of the season.

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza said of the outcome:

“It’s massive, it’s always good to have a great start. We know we are going to have some difficult games in the first five matches so it’s very important.

“We are looking at a minimum of 13 points in the first five games of the season and if we can get them I think we will be good,” he said.

At Barbourfields Dynamos also collected maximum points vis a 1-0 victory over coal-miners Hwange.

Hwange were also playing their home game away from their Colliery base as it is yet to meet the PSL requirements.

Dynamos got a second-half goal from striker Tinashe Makanda after he came on from the bench.

The forward connected another DeMbare substitute Denver Mukamba’s ball in the 70th minute.

“It’s a good start. It was always going to be very difficult playing Hwange away from home but I am happy we got that win away from home. It’s a process and I’m impressed with the boys. We played possessional football and it was good,” DeMbare coach Herbert Maruwa said.

Meanwhile, at Mandava, Premiership new boys Sheasham secured a crucial point in their first match in the topflight league after holding last season’s runners-up Chicken Inn to a goalless draw.

The Gamecocks finished the match with 10 men after midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu received the first red card of the new campaign following his second booking in the second half.

At Luveve Stadium, Bulawayo Chiefs and Ngezi Platinum settled for a 1-1 draw, with Nkosilathi Ncube scoring for the hosts before the visitors rescued a point through a well-taken freekick by Qadir Amini in the second half.

Sunday fixtures:

Caps United v Manica Diamonds (NSS), Triangle v Herentals (Gibbo), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields)

Monday:

Yadah v Green Fuel (NSS 12pm), Cranborne Bullets v Black Rhinos (NSS 3pm)