FC Platinum subdues CNaPS to reach next round

A Rodwell Chinyengetere 60  minute strike in this Total CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg played at Mandava Stadium completed Zimbabwe champions FC Platinum’s 2-1 aggregate win over CNaPS of Madagascar to earn passage into the first round.

The preliminary round, the continental tournament second ever for the platinum rich Zvishavane outfit gave them a date against Congo Brazaville’s Otoho D’oyo for the Norman Mapeza coached side.

Otoho D’oyo dumped highly fatigued Angola giants Primeiro de Agosto out of this edition after a 4-4 aggregate draw snatching it courtesy of an away goals rule following a 2-0 second leg win in Congo adding to the 2-4 away defeat in the first leg last week.

With the second leg delicately poised, it needed this 60  minute Chinyengetere goal to push the visitors further on the back foot.

The match had opened up with fair exchanges from both outfits in which either side could have stolen it from the other and it had to be the home side that buoyed by a good turn out of predominantly home fans to add colour to their good phase.

New boy Lameck Nhamo and Farai Madanhanga looked more threatening for the home side as they continued to continuously probe the visitors with sporadic raids but it all came to a naughty goalless opening half.

In a 15 day phase that saw them crowned Zimbabwe champions a fortnight ago, beat FA Cup winner Triangle 2-0 in the Champion of Champions Cup on Saturday, this win trebled the joy on the same field.

Mapeza was a pleased man from his lads.

“It was a tough encounter where both sides wanted it but I am happy we got it and look forward to future good outings as we try to make our name on the international scene. We await our next opponents which obviously won’t be easy for us,” said Mapeza.