FC Platinum have for the third time in a row defended their Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League as they defeated their arch-rivals Caps United 1-0 in an explosive title-deciding match played at National Stadium in Harare.
It meant they finished three points ahead of their closest assailant Chicken Inn who were 4-1 winners over TelOne in another match played simultaneously at Barbourfields Stadium.
Perfect Chikwende scored the all-important goal in the 60th minute as FC Platinum finished the campaign with 62 points while the Green Machine got 58.
The Platinum Boys made a promising opening on the 14th minute, with William Stima’s powerful strike from the near side forcing Mateyaunga to save for a corner.
Makepepe were given little room to manoeuvre as the half went on, with Platinum throwing bodies forward from all areas of the spectrum.
Platinum launched another threat in the 23rd minute after Never Tigere’s solo effort required a high-waist save off Masunda, while the Miners shot-stopper Bello was called into action to deny Sarupinda a few minutes later.
The goal minder made another breath-taking save in the 39th minute after snap-shots from Musarurwa and Harris Ndembele.
Caps were later reduced to ten men in the later stages of the first half when Ngodzo was red-carded for a dangerous tackle on Platinum’s attacker.
Platinum made a slow start to the second half while Makepepe grew in confidence with a few half-chances attempts at Bello, although the hosts were desperate to score in order to avoid the drop.
Justice Jangano and Blessing Sarupinda combined near the edge of the area on in the 55th minute, but the latter shot across the face of goal.
Platinum went ahead with their fifth shot on target in the hour mark as Chikwende slotted home from close range after some great play by Tigere.
Dominic Chungwa tried his luck from range three minutes later but the Makepekepe forward fired his effort high over the bar.
Newman Sianchali came close to equalising for Caps in the 74th minute but the winger’s deflected effort went just wide of the right-hand post.
Guyvue Mawete tried his luck from close range in the 81st minute but Mateyaunga did well to deny the Platinum striker.
Tawana Chikore came to his side’s rescue in the 86th minute as he cleared a goal-bound header off the line, to make sure that Platinum retained the Zimbabwean league title.
