Sports / Local
Bosso clear tough hurdle
17 Nov 2015 at 16:27hrs | Views
HIGHLANDERS FC staged a smash-and-grab and departed Zvishavane counting their good fortunes after becoming the first team to beat in-form FC Platinum in open play since May to advance to the semi-finals of the NetOne sponsored top-eight Easycall Cup on Sunday.
The platinum miners had gone for 20 matches without losing in open play. Their only taste of defeat was in the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup when they were knocked out 6-7 on penalties by Dynamos after a goalless stalemate in regulation time two months ago at the National Sports Stadium. FC Platinum's last loss in open play was 0-1 against DeMbare on May 10 in Harare.
The home team went into Sunday's quarter-final tie as favourites on the strength of their form and they turned the screws on Bosso from the first whistle. Anyone would have backed the platinum miners to score whenever they launched raids on the Highlanders' goal area and it still remains a mystery how Bosso wriggled to this vital victory.
Bosso were indebted to the reflexes of the goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, who denied the marauding FC Platinum strikers when the home side was dominant.
The visitors were on the ropes for 90 minutes except for a few futile attacks on the FC Platinum goal, and with everyone, including the coaches, already preparing for the dreaded penalty shootout, Bosso's man of the moment Knox Mutizwa ghosted in to knock home a cross from Obidiah Tarumbwa past the otherwise impressive FC Platinum goalkeeper Petros Mhari.
Defender Ian Nekati's indecisiveness cost his side a place in the semi-finals as he was robbed of possession by Tarumbwa, who laid the ball onto the path of the alert Mutizwa to score.
The result surprised many as FC Platinum were pre-tournament favourites due to the good run of form they have been enjoying.
They play an entertaining brand of one-touch football that leaves even their opponents' fans green with envy.
Bosso's win has given them some faint hope of winning silverware to atone for a generally disastrous season.
Highlanders will go into the semi-final draw with Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Chicken Inn, who knocked out ZPC Kariba in penalties, Dynamos, scrapped past How Mine, and Caps United, who sent Hwange packing.
Highlanders should brace for a real challenge in the Easycall Cup as Chicken Inn are positioning themselves for a league and cup double, while Dynamos want to make up for their championship miss.
Caps United will also want to end the season with some silverware, meaning that fans should brace for thrilling semi-finals ties as all teams have a lot to play for.
Bosso's interim technical director Cosmas Zulu declined to comment about their victory, saying he would only do so at the club's weekly Press conference on Thursday.
"I'm sorry I can't comment about any club business, which includes our victory over FC Platinum. The advice that I've been given by the club is that you (the media) should wait for Thursday's Press conference," said Zulu.
Despite the loss to Bosso, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza remained upbeat saying they were now shifting their focus to the league title race.
The platinum miners face Flame Lily at Lafarge tomorrow.
"We need to regroup and focus on the league. It was not our day and we need to collect maximum (against Flame Lily). We have come a long way and it's not easy to build a machine like this. The guys are playing good football," said Mapeza.
Hwange coach Nation Dube, whose charges were beaten 1-3 by resurgent Caps United at the National Sports Stadium, is hopeful that the coalminers will emerge stronger next season.
"I'm focused on the three remaining league games. We will then decide who to release because I want young energetic players that are hungry for success. Look, FC Platinum have done well and that route of having younger players is the same thing I wish to do next season at Hwange as we build to challenge for honours," said Dube
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas, who fielded a second-string side against ZPC Kariba, was full of praise for his charges, although he continued to downplay the idea of a league and cup double.
"It was a sweet victory in Kariba because the guys played their hearts out. Some of the players seemed to challenge me through their performances.
"Actually this tournament afforded me a chance to see the players that we have and I'm pleased to say at Chicken Inn we really have a good pool of players," said Antipas.
The platinum miners had gone for 20 matches without losing in open play. Their only taste of defeat was in the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup when they were knocked out 6-7 on penalties by Dynamos after a goalless stalemate in regulation time two months ago at the National Sports Stadium. FC Platinum's last loss in open play was 0-1 against DeMbare on May 10 in Harare.
The home team went into Sunday's quarter-final tie as favourites on the strength of their form and they turned the screws on Bosso from the first whistle. Anyone would have backed the platinum miners to score whenever they launched raids on the Highlanders' goal area and it still remains a mystery how Bosso wriggled to this vital victory.
Bosso were indebted to the reflexes of the goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, who denied the marauding FC Platinum strikers when the home side was dominant.
The visitors were on the ropes for 90 minutes except for a few futile attacks on the FC Platinum goal, and with everyone, including the coaches, already preparing for the dreaded penalty shootout, Bosso's man of the moment Knox Mutizwa ghosted in to knock home a cross from Obidiah Tarumbwa past the otherwise impressive FC Platinum goalkeeper Petros Mhari.
Defender Ian Nekati's indecisiveness cost his side a place in the semi-finals as he was robbed of possession by Tarumbwa, who laid the ball onto the path of the alert Mutizwa to score.
The result surprised many as FC Platinum were pre-tournament favourites due to the good run of form they have been enjoying.
They play an entertaining brand of one-touch football that leaves even their opponents' fans green with envy.
Bosso's win has given them some faint hope of winning silverware to atone for a generally disastrous season.
Highlanders will go into the semi-final draw with Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Chicken Inn, who knocked out ZPC Kariba in penalties, Dynamos, scrapped past How Mine, and Caps United, who sent Hwange packing.
Highlanders should brace for a real challenge in the Easycall Cup as Chicken Inn are positioning themselves for a league and cup double, while Dynamos want to make up for their championship miss.
Bosso's interim technical director Cosmas Zulu declined to comment about their victory, saying he would only do so at the club's weekly Press conference on Thursday.
"I'm sorry I can't comment about any club business, which includes our victory over FC Platinum. The advice that I've been given by the club is that you (the media) should wait for Thursday's Press conference," said Zulu.
Despite the loss to Bosso, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza remained upbeat saying they were now shifting their focus to the league title race.
The platinum miners face Flame Lily at Lafarge tomorrow.
"We need to regroup and focus on the league. It was not our day and we need to collect maximum (against Flame Lily). We have come a long way and it's not easy to build a machine like this. The guys are playing good football," said Mapeza.
Hwange coach Nation Dube, whose charges were beaten 1-3 by resurgent Caps United at the National Sports Stadium, is hopeful that the coalminers will emerge stronger next season.
"I'm focused on the three remaining league games. We will then decide who to release because I want young energetic players that are hungry for success. Look, FC Platinum have done well and that route of having younger players is the same thing I wish to do next season at Hwange as we build to challenge for honours," said Dube
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas, who fielded a second-string side against ZPC Kariba, was full of praise for his charges, although he continued to downplay the idea of a league and cup double.
"It was a sweet victory in Kariba because the guys played their hearts out. Some of the players seemed to challenge me through their performances.
"Actually this tournament afforded me a chance to see the players that we have and I'm pleased to say at Chicken Inn we really have a good pool of players," said Antipas.
Source - chronicle
