FC Platinum bowed out of the group stages of the CAF Champions League without a win after they were beaten 2-1 by Esperance de Tunis in their final Group B match at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday.
The Blood and Gold topped the pool with an unbeaten record and a haul of 14 points, while the Platinum Boys sit at the foot of the table with two points from their six matches.
Esperance began the game with an impressive show of passing and went on to claim the lead in the eighth minute through Mohamed Meskini’slong-rangee free-kick which beat FC Platinum goalkeeper Petros Mhari.
That early goal seemed to bring Platinum to life and they gradually claimed a foothold in the game, playing some neat football without really threatening the home side’s defence.
Their only notable effort on goal was a long-range shot from Elvis Moyo which was tipped over the bar by Cherifia in injury time.
Meskini, who was giving Platinum defenders all sorts of problems, continued to look for his second goal and in the 27th minute, he saw his effort punched away by Mhari, while Raed Fedaa shot wide a minute before half-time.
Platinum started the second half in high spirits and Never Tigere yet again tested the Esperance goalkeeper, but Cherifia was equal to the task and he pushed the ball wide of the goal.
The equalizing goal arrived in the 63rd minute when Ali Sadiki finished from close range after connecting to a William Stima’s well taken free-kick.
Esperance had an effort to double the lead in the 70th minute through Bilel El Mejri but after receiving a cross from Houcine Rabii, the striker ballooned his shot over the bar.
Platinum created a fine chance to go ahead five minutes later, but Pavari was unable to hit the target, while in the 80th minute, Cherifia produced another good save to keep out a low shot from Sadiki which threatened to double the miner’s lead.
The home side’s hopes of completing what would have been an impressive comeback were dashed when the Tunisians reclaimed their lead in the 83rd minute when Mhari fluffed a speculative shot from Adem Rjaeibi to seal the win for his team.
How they lined-up
FC Platinum Staring XI: Petros Mhari (GK), Muduviwa, Elvis Moyo, Lawrence Mhlang a,William Stima, Chafa Taitamba, Rainsome Pavari, Never Tigere, Rahman Kutsanzira, Thomas Chideu, Ali Sadiki
Eperance Tunis Staring XI : Moez Ben Cherifia (GK), Afif Jebali, Aymen Ben Mahmoud, Ali Machani, Houcine Rabii, Raed Fedaa, Mohamed Amine Meskini, Ali Ben Romdhane, Bilel El Mejri, Tayeb Meziani, Junior Lokosa
