By Onny Gangata
FC PLATINUM coach, Norman Mapeza was left disappointed after his side was held to a two all draw by Chicken Inn in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match here on Thursday afternoon, as he admitted to his side suffering from the effects of the international break.
It was the first time this season that the Zvishavane side dropped points having previously won their opening two matches 1-0 win at home to Chegutu Pirates and a 2-0 away victory over champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Mapeza was returning to the dug out for his club straight from international duty in Malawi where he guided the national team in a four team tournament that ended on Tuesday.
And the former champions looked on course to recording their third win of the season when defender Lawrence Mhlanga put the miners ahead inside ten minutes.
It was an unfortunate goal for Chicken Inn to concede as goalkeeper Pride Zendera appeared to have been impeded by Mhlanga in the run up to the goal.
The visitors however, restored parity just after the half hour mark with Lincoln Mangaira nodding home a corner from Danny Phiri, before Michael Charamba gave the gamecocks the lead three minutes later.
Juan Mutudza’s second half strike saved the day for Mapeza’s charges and after the match, the former warriors skipper felt the international break took the sting out of his side.
“We were doing well before the international break,” he said.
“The problem was, the break took the momentum out of our play, going 2-1 down and coming back managing to get a point, I am happy with the point.”
FC Platinum remain top of the log standings with seven points after three matches.
