Castle Lager PSL Matchday 12 Sunday Wrap

Champions FC Platinum maintained a 3-point gap from leaders Ngezi Platinum with a win while Highlanders and CAPS United played to a goalless draw at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

FC Platinum Bring Back Dembare Misery

Dynamos 0 – 2 FC Platinum

Champions FC Platinum turned on a first-half masterclass, spiced by a beauty of a goal from double-scorer Rodwell Chinyengetere, as they reminded a woeful Dynamos of the deficiencies that have created a gulf between the miners and the fading Glamour Boys at Rufaro Sunday.

FC Platinum were superior from the onset and were on the driving seat as early as the fifth minute when Chinyengetere won possession inside the box and beat his markers before placing the ball wide of the exposed goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.

By then, FC Platinum were already on top with some fine exchanges that caused confusion in the DeMbare camp. Coach Biggie Zuze’s men were chasing the ball for the most of the time and they tended to make numerous errors which the visitors capitalised on.

Chinyengetere doubled the visitors’ lead in the 17th minute when he got to the end of another fine build-up and curled the ball from the edge of the box, giving goalkeeper Mateyaunga no chance at all.

It is always rare and almost unacceptable at Rufaro to see Dynamos supporters saluting their opponents after losing a match but those in the blue half Sunday rose in unison to give Mapeza’s men a standing ovation at the end of the 90 minutes.

In fact, the DeMbare supporters booed their own players and surprisingly called the visitors up close to acknowledge the brilliant exhibition of the art of passing football they demonstrated,

Rhinos Silence Triangle

Triangle 0 -1 Black Rhinos

Triangle failed to utilise home advantage after they were edged by army side Black Rhinos in this lukewarm Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Gibbo.

The home side’s title hopes were thrown into turmoil as they faltered in front of their home fans.

Triangle striker Simba Makoni had a first real chance in the 28th minute when he was fed inside the box by Lameck Nhamo but he shot wide.

Rhinos had a good chance of drawing first blood but Wellington Taderera shot missed the target by a few inches with the home side goalkeeper Tapiwa Chilenga a well-beaten man. In a miss of the season, Triangle youngster Anelka Chiwandire skied his effort over the bar from close range when he could easily pass into the net. Rhinos started the second half strongly and they were duly rewarded just eight minutes into the new half from a free-header by Vincent Mhandu.

Dhlakama’s Midas Touch Sink Shabanie

Shabanie Mine 0 -  1 Chapungu United

Chapungu United coach Rodwell Dhlakama left Shabanie Mine sinking deep in the relegation zone after collecting maximum points in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Maglas Sunday.

Former Caps United captain Tapiwa Kumbuyani rose from the bench to score the only goal of the match two minutes after his introduction.

Shabanie Mine created early chances and the first meaningful chance fell at Romeo Phakamisa but the attacker failed to trouble Talbert Shumba in goal for Chapungu.

Three minutes before half-time veteran Philip Marufu tried from long-range with a powerful strike but his effort was just inches wide.

A minute later Allen Tavarwisa fired another powerful shot but was denied by an alert Shabanie Mine goalminder Biggie Temera.

Twelve minutes after the breather silence descended on Maglas when Kumbuyani headed in a Marufu cross to give the visitors the lead which proved to be the winner.

Sunday’s result means Shabanie Mine are now seated second from the bottom of the table with nine points just a point above bottom side Mutare City.

After the match, the hard-to-please Shabanie Mine supporters were surprisingly already calling for the head of coach Takesure Chiragwi who has defied the odds by keeping the impoverished side competitive.

Sunday’s win means the Airforce of Zimbabwe side are now on 12 points from as many matches.

Ariel Spares Bosso Blushes

Highlanders 0 – 0 CAPS United

Highlanders’ goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda made some stunning first-half saves that earned his side a valuable point against a CAPS United side that enjoyed dominance at Barbourfields Stadium Sunday.

The Harare giants should have wrapped up the game in the first half, but Sibanda, who a fortnight ago had a nightmarish performance between the sticks against ZPC Kariba, produced a 46th minute save to deny ex-Highlanders striker Milton Ncube a goal.

Joel Ngodzo, Dominic Mukandi and Kudzai Nyamupfukudza dictated the pace in central midfield, as Bosso’s midfielders were virtually AWOL throughout the match.

Highlanders seemed content with sitting back to absorb pressure and try to catch their opponents on the counter, but nothing really materialised.

Simba Nhivi wasted the Green Machine’s best chance of the day in the 39th minute when he found himself with acres of space inside the box after collecting a pass from Ngodzo. Keeper Sibanda dashed off his line to narrow the angle, forcing the striker to blast his effort over the bar.

Results

Saturday: Nichrut 1-1 Bulawayo Chiefs, Chicken Inn 1-1 Harare City, Ngezi Platinum Stars 4-0 Bulawayo City, ZPC Kariba 1-0 Yadah FC

Sunday: Highlanders 0-0 Caps United, Shabanie Mine 0-1 Chapungu, Dynamos 0-2 FC Platinum, Triangle United 0-1 Black Rhinos, Mutare City Rovers 1-1 Herentals

 

 

 

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