FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)
BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . (0)
AFTER failing to win the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has identified the weakness that cost them in the championship.
Simba Bhora emerged as winners after garnering an unassailable 66 points with two games to spare.
After losing 2-0 to Dynamos on Sunday, the platinum miners bounced back to winning ways, with a narrow 1-0 win over Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
However, that was not enough to keep the title race alive.
Oscar Bhebhe scored the only goal of the match for the former champions to claim all three points.
After the match, Mapeza was first to admit that his men were not good enough throughout the season.
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“We created so many opportunities, but failed to score. That has been one of the letdowns this season.
“We have created so many chances, but that decision to know what to do in the box has been lacking,” he said after yesterday’s match.
“But we are taking each of the games as it comes. It’s now definite that we have to push for second position in the league.”
FC Platinum came into the tie hoping to avoid defeat at home.
Even if they go on to win both the remaining matches, they can only end the season with a maximum of 63 points.
Against Bulawayo Chiefs, they were dominant in all respects, but only managed to break through in the 40th minute when Bhebhe tapped in a loose ball after the visitors failed to clear what seemed to be a hapless corner-kick.
That was all Pure Platinum Play needed to win and get some respite after being humiliated by Dynamos last weekend.
As it stands, they remain on second position with 57 points on their tally after 32 matches.
On the other hand, Bulawayo Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda remains beset with the relegation dogfight.
He was disappointed after the loss and heads into Saturday’s home match against ZPC Kariba.
“We gave them too much respect. Had we played the way we did in the second half, it would have been a different story,” Sibanda said.
“I think we were superior in the second half, but I am happy with way we applied ourselves. We just have to be focused and avoid to lose focus and slip down.”
