Thembani Masuku races for the ball under challenge from FC Platinum striker Obrey Chirwa (L) at Luveve Stadium yesterday
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
How Mine 0-3 FC Platinum
HOW MINE coach Luke Masomere yesterday blamed his club’s terrible recruitment strategy that saw them acquiring players past their sell by date.
Speaking soon after the Bulawayo-based gold miners were given a thorough hiding by fellow miners FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium, Masomere said age was catching up with most of his players.
“We erred as a club in our recruitment exercise by bringing players who had passed their peak,” said a clearly dejected Masomere, whose team has now gone for seven matches without a win.
A number of How Mine players are over the age of 28 and Masomere also hinted that a third force could be the cause of their misery.
“There are other factors contributing to our poor performances that are beyond my control,” said Masomere without elaborating.
FC Platinum, however, had no age worries as they kicked off the match in blistering pace, eager for an early opener.
But it was How Mine striker Kuda Musharu who got the attention of Hwange-based referee Bonomali Bwanali, albeit for the wrong reason, after he was yellow-carded in the ninth minute for a deliberate handball outside the box.
From the set piece, FC Platinum gained possession with Obrey Chirwa pulling clear on the left side where he made light work of Morris Kadzola and laid the ball to Elvis Moyo.
Moyo exchanged quick passes with Chirwa, who cleverly crossed to the advancing Brian Muzondiwa to open the score sheet in the 10th minute.
The home team almost equalised immediately from a free-kick after Wonder Sithole was brought down in an off the ball incident.
The platinum miners doubled their lead in the 14th minute in another telling move involving Gerald Takwara and Tatenda Mudehwe, who released Chirwa to charge into the box and score.
Sensing defeat, Masomere pulled out Moses Gutu for Thembani Masuku in the 25th minute, but it was the visitors who almost added a third in the 30th minute but defender Tapiwa Khumbuyani saved the situation.
How Mine played better in the second half and could have pulled one back within five minutes of restarting, but Nefitary Ndale chose to fall theatrically inside the box instead of heading the ball or simply chesting it into the net.
He was hauled off and replaced by Godfrey Nguwodzawo three minutes later.
With How Mine enjoying the lion’s share of possession, the referee stopped play in the FC Platinum half after a second ball was thrown onto the field by a fan.
Play resumed after a drop ball and with How Mine probably expecting FC Platinum to exercise fair play by knocking the ball out, Mudehwe surged forward sending the hosts’ defenders into panic.
He charged inside the box and delivered a hard and low cross that beat a drawn out How Mine goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya and fell onto the path of a rushing Kumbuyani, who pushed the ball into his own net in attempt to cover the goal line.
“We came looking for a positive result and we got that; we’re taking each game as it comes,” said an elated FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza.
Teams
How Mine: M Diya, T Kumbuyani, M Gutu (T Masuku 25th min, N Ndale ( G Nguwodzawo 53rd min), N Tachi, M Mupera, T January, W Sithole, K Musharu (T Muparati 80th min), M Kadzola, B Marere
Unused Subs: F Tizayi, R Muduviwa, A Gahadzikwa, E Mandiranga
FC Platinum: P Mhari, I Nekati, G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo, W Mhango, G Takwara ,T Dzumbunu (S Shoko 53rd min), T Mudehwe, B Muzondiwa (R Sibanda 69th min), O Chirwa
Unused Subs: H Masuku, D Chafa, G Banda, N Dube