By Onny Gangata
THE highly anticipated top of the table clash between FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars lived up to its billing but lacked goals as the two sides settled for a share of the spoils at Mandava stadium on Saturday.
The reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions came into this match with their confidence levels high on a seven match winning streak.
Sitting in second place on the log standings, Ngezi Platinum were hoping to get one over the log leaders and cut the gap between themselves and FC Platinum to two points with a win but it was not to be.
On an afternoon they did everything but score, Madumburo will perhaps feel they should have done better to garner maximum points.
“I think we played well, we respect the point that we got and we thank God for the point,” Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi said after the match.
“I feel we should have collected maximum points because of the chances we created, we had four clear chances in the first half that we should have put away. That is how it is in football if you do not take your chances that’s what happens, but we are happy that we also did not concede.”
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza defended his side’s approach to the encounter saying they needed to be pragmatic
“You have to be very cautious, games of this magnitude you don’t just throw around your cards, you have to be smart,” said Mapeza.
“I am happy with the point, we were playing at home and obviously you need to maximize on home advantage.The boys worked hard and i am more than happy with the point.”
The Zvishavane side still top the standings with 39 points while Ngezi Platinum Stars are second five points adrift of the leaders.
Pure Platinum Play dominated the proceedings in the opening stages and came close to opening the scoring through Panashe Mutimbanyoka but the forward sent his effort over the cross bar.
Thereafter, Ngezi Platinum got the better chances with Marvin Gaki allowing an Obriel Chirinda cut back cross to run across the face of goal.
Marvellous Mukumba and Takunda Benhura both wasted clear cut chances from close range for the visitors in the opening stanza.
The second half saw both teams content with consolidating their positions and in the end a share of the spoils was a fair result.
Other results:
Yadah 2-0 Bikita Minerals
Green Fuel 1-1 Simba Bhora
Arenel Movers 0-1 Chicken Inn
ZPC Kariba 0-0 Chegutu Pirates
