Madamburo silence FC Platinum

Ngezi Platinum Stars grabbed the bragging rights in the platinum derby after getting the better of champions FC Platinum 2-0 at the Baobab Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The hosts were itching for a win from the onset as they launched a series of attacks in search of an opener.

FC Platinum would temporarily manage to contain the pressure but it was not long until Takesure Chiragwi’s charges sent their fans into a frenzy with a 34th minute strike by Tinotenda Murasiranwa.

Tapiwa Mandinyenya sent in an inviting free-kick from the right and the bustling forwarding took advantage of the commotion which took place inside the area to slot home the opener from close range.

The match would then be temporarily stopped as FC Platinum players charged towards the referee in protest of the goal. It then took the police and their gaffer Norman Mapeza to calm the storm and allow the game to progress as the encounter went to the breather with the hosts carrying a 1-goal cushion.

After the restart, the visItors, though enjoying much of the ball possession, searched for an equaliser which proved elusive as the defensive trio of Gareth Madhake, Polite Moyo and skipper Kudzayi Chigwida marshalled the defense with class.

Madamburo’s Takunda Benhura, who earned the Man of the Match prize, then doubled the lead for his side moments later.

The rising goal poacher beat one man outside the box before firing home what proved to be the winner for the hosts in the 54th minute.

Despite continued pressure from the champions, the hosts held onto their 2 goal advantage until the final whistle.

“The guys played according to our game plan and we are happy with the result. FC Platinum are a good side and I acknowledge they gave us a good game. Well done to the boys for their fighting mentality especially after coming from a mid-week fixture,” said Chiragwi after the match while his FC Platinum counterpart Norman Mapeza admitted Madamburo deserved the win.

“The guys lost focus after the first goal and Ngezi capitalised on that. They were a better side hence the win. We now go back to the drawing board and work on our shortcomings ahead of the coming fixtures,” he said.

Ngezi Platinum Stars, following the win, leap frogged Manica Diamonds to claim pole position on the Castle Lager Premiership table on 17 points.