The tragic road accident which claimed the lives of Dynamos supporters cast a dark shadow on the Premier Soccer League games played at the weekend as log leaders FC Platinum lost a league match for the first time in a period stretching over a year.

The ambitious platinum miners suffered a 2-1 defeat at their favourite Mandava home ground on Saturday to end a proud run of 28 games unbeaten after giving in the Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba.

Goals from Tawanda Nyamandwe and Never Tigere either side of the half buried FC Platinum who had earlier taken the lead through Winston Mhango.

Mapeza’s men, who had last lost a league match to Dynamos at Rufaro on May 10, 2015, managed to keep their place at the top of the table despite the defeat.

FC Platinum lead are still ahead in the race with 20 points but their lead was slashed down to two points as ZPC Kariba moved into second place with 18 points from nine starts. They were forth before the weekend games and they took advantage of Highlanders’ inactivity to jump two places up.

Bosso’s clash with Border Strikers was postponed since they had three players with national teams – Prince Dube (Under-20), Bruce Kangwa and King Nadolo (COSAFA).

They also benefitted from the poor show by Harare giants CAPS United who played a goalless draw against Triangle at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday. Makepekepe and ZPC Kariba are tied on 18 points but the power utility side has better goal difference.

But Highlanders, on 17 points, could narrow the gap if they beat the struggling newboys in a rescheduled match most likely this week following the return of their teenage sensation, Dube, from the Young Warriors who were involved in a failed Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon at the weekend.

Newboys Bulawayo City continued with their promising form when they travelled to fellow debutants Mutare City Rovers and claimed a 1-0 win which took their points tally to 14. They are sixth on the log standings.

Moses Chunga began his tenure with Harare City on a winning note when he dismissed Ngezi Platinum 2-1 at their baobab home ground on Sunday. Chunga replaced Taurayi Mangwiro who was sacked by the City Fathers two weeks ago because of poor results.

Midfielder Ronald Chitiyo marked his return from injury with a goal. Striker William Manondo was also on target as the side sprung back into the top eight ahead of the clash with Bulawayo City.

But Dynamos had the most relief on the weekend after beating Chapungu 2-1 at their backyard. DeMbare desperately needed the wing to calm the nerves in their camp following a run of bad results early in the season.

Midfielder Masimba Mambare and rookie striker King Nasama scored the important goals, cancelling out Hillary Mugoniwa’s early first half opener. Coach Lloyd Mutasa, who has been given five games to prove himself was back on the spotlight and he needed the win to ease the pressure especially coming from the defeat to bitter rivals Highlanders.

With the win, DeMbare took their points tally to 11 in nine games jumped three places to ninth on the log standings. However, the win was eclipsed by the accident which claimed eight of their supporters. The supporters were travelling to Gweru to watch the match against Chapungu.