FC Platinum edge Chicken Inn

Story by Raynald Ngwarati

DEFENDING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions FC Platinum matched their intend for a strong finish this season after edging Chicken Inn by a goal to nil at Luveve Stadium this Saturday.

Chasing a respectable finish to their worst season in five years, defending champions FC Platinum had to shrug off a hurdle in the face of Chicken Inn to cement their top four ambitions this Saturday.

Facing the 2015 champions on their home turf was not an easy task for the Zvishavane based side, but they were motivated by a better head-to-head record against their opponents whom they beat by two-goals to nil in their first meeting in July.

As if to go by the record books, a 13th-minute strike from Jarison Selemani was the guarantor of expectations for Pure Platinum Play who left Luveve Stdoun with maximum points.

Elsewhere, Manica Diamonds’ title-chasing hopes were dealt another blow, as they paid the price of their inconsistency after losing to relegation-threatened Sheasham 2-0 at Bata Stadium.

The Gems Boys could not sustain their momentum which saw them beat Dynamos midweek, as they became the biggest casualties of the day, losing to Sheasham by 2-0.

The opening day of Matchday 30 was not spared of drama, as Green Fuel beat Bulawayo Chiefs by a single goal courtesy of a Ray Uchena penalty.

Green Fuel was awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute after the referee adjudged that Archford Nyamadzawo had been fouled in the box, much to the displeasure of Amakhosi.

Bulawayo Chiefs players walked off the pitch in a protest, but eventually play resumed as Ray Uchena’s penalty gave Green Fuel the three points.

In the other matches, Cranborne Bullets proved that they won’t go down without a fight after edging Triangle United by a single goal, while Simba Bhora beat Herentals by the same scoreline.

The action continues this Sunday as Dynamos host Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium, title favourites Ngezi travel to the Colliery for a date against Hwange, Yadah lock horns with ZPC Kariba and the Battle of Cities pitting Highlanders and CAPS United will light up the City of Kings and Queens.