FC Platinum pip AS Otoho to debut group stage
Zimbabwe champions FC Platinum edged visiting AS Otoho of Congo to reach the group stage for the first time courtesy of away goals rule following a barren stalemate at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane on Sunday tallying up a 1-1 aggregate draw.
The Congolese suffered the reverse effect of their preliminary round benefit which saw them dump 2018 edition semi-finalists Primeiro de Agosto on away goals rule after a 4-4 aggregate in theirnon scoring match in this short gap version.
But it was the Zimbabweans who will celebrate the new cult hero status after becoming only the fourth side from the Southern Africa nation to breach through to the mini league stage after Caps United, Dynamos and now defunct Monomotapa.
This progress literally breathed fresh hope to a soccer crazy nation whose national team literally requires a result in next March’s 2019 Total CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo in a tie set for Harare thus Saturday afternoon’s tie literally became a mini dress rehearsal as some of the players on the part will square off again.
Coming to the first round tie, it was free to take for either side and despite both searching for goals, the rear had to remain top most in attention as laxity could have spelt disaster with either set of attackers capable of stealing the tie away.
New boy Lameck Nhamo was once against at his best becoming a vital cog to the home team’s build ups equally supplemented by the likes of Farai Madanhanga and Rodwell Chinyengetere while the visitors equally probed their hosts but despite this being a draw it was just good enough for the Congolese but excellent for the Zimbabwe ensemble.
Coach Norman Mapeza who had warned his lads against complacency heaped praise.
“We wanted the group stage and we got it albeit against an equally good team. It had to take my boys extra attention as we didn’t want to be caught off-guard at the back. Remember any goal from them would have complicated matters,” said Mapeza.
FC Platinum had edged Madagascar’s CNaPS 2-1 on aggregate at the prelims.