ZIMBABWE’S representatives in the CAF Champions League, FC
Platinum refused to be cowed into submission, restricting former African
champions Orlando Pirates to a goalless draw in a sold out Barbourfields
stadium yesterday.
Pure Platinum Play were making their first appearance in
the competition’s group stages but the big difference in experience never
showed against the mighty Sea Robbers.
FC Platinum are in a tough group which includes reigning
African champions Esperance of Tunisia and Horoya AC of Guinea.
Yesterday’s result means the group is evenly poised after
Horoya and Esperance also played a one all stalemate in Guinea last Friday.
The match was played in a packed Barbourfields, arguably
the biggest crowd at the venue since the turn of the millennium when
Highlanders used to rule the local football scene.
Disappointingly though, the huge crowd was behind the
visiting team which won several Zimbabwean hearts with their penchant for local
talent and Highlanders supporters just love to be associated with the Happy
People.
Coach Norman Mapeza said the brief for his men in this
competition was to enjoy the ride after reaching the group stages.
The astute gaffer is happy with the way his charges have
fared so far and was satisfied with the point Pure Platinum Play gained ahead
of Friday’s match against Esperance in Tunis.
“It was a good game of football, the guys really worked
very hard and for me as a coach this is really a positive result.
“Of course we wanted to win the match but this is a
positive result I am more than happy with a point.
“We have five games to go in the group stages and this is
our first time in the group stages so we just need to enjoy the ride,” said
Mapeza.
FC Platinum looked comfortable on the ball in the early
exchanges but it was the visitors who created better goal scoring opportunities
from the onset.
Mhari was nonetheless having none of it, producing a
brilliant shift between the goal posts, denying the irresistible Soweto giants’
attacking threat on numerous occasions.
Tembinkosi Lorch was the first to be set free by the
Buccaneers, followed by Innocent Maela but captain Mhari stood tall to deny the
duo on both occasions.
Warriors forward Kuda Mahachi came into this duel on the
back of a brilliant form and was also menacing in the final third but was
restricted from taking shots at goal by his compatriots.
To their credit, the miners were refusing to be cowed into
submission and had genuine chances to break the deadlock when midfield sentinel
Kelvin Madzongwe tried from range but his effort was pushed wide for a corner
by Pirates keeper Jackson Mabokgwane.
The Zimbabweans also had a penalty appeal waved away by the
officials midway through the first half.
After the breather, the visitors came a better side and
demonstrated the difference in class and experience between the two sides.
Ten minutes into the second stanza, vice-captain Gift Bello
summoned his loads of experience sliding to deny Justing Shonga a way to face
Mhari.
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