Platinum robbery in Dar

By Ray Munyoro

FC Platinum Wednesday played their CAF Champions League encounter against Simba SC of Tanzania under protest after they were told five of their key players had tested positive for Covid-19 moments before the game.
Simba SC won 4-0 in a match that was played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam.
Goalkeeper and skipper Petros Mhari, Lawrence Mhlanga, Silas Songani, Ransome Pavari and Congolese forward Eli Ilunga are the players that were said to have returned positive Covid-19 results two hours before kickoff, a move that was reportedly meant to cripple the Zimbabweans.
Nhau Sport is reliably informed four of the players were in Norman Mapeza’s starting lineup.
Three officials, including team manager Joseph Mususa, goalkeepers’ trainer Tembo Chuma and medic Jeskia Chavurura, were also reported to have tested positive.
This publication heard the results were conducted on Monday but the hosts waited to release them on the eleventh hour so that their opponents would not get the chance to do other tests to verify.
There are possibilities the results might have been tampered with after similar complaints were made by Nigerian side, Plateau United.
The Nigerians met the same dirty tricks from Simba SC who are desperate for success in Africa’s premier club competition.
Plateau have since lodged a complaint with CAF after finding out that the affected players were negative when they retested them.
Despite chopping some Pure Platinum Play’s sharp teeth, it appeared the hosts were not done. The encounter was also marred by glaring poor officiating seemingly favouring the hosts.
Simba SC were also accused of employing anything dirty to overturn the result as the Zimbabweans went into the match carrying a 1-0 lead, hoping to progress to the group stage for the third time in a row.
And going into the match, it was clear the Zimbabweans were a frustrated lot and were lucky to finish the match with all the players as they protested against some of the decisions by the officials.
The frustrations saw the visitors making mistakes that obviously contributed to the heavy defeat.
Simba SC were awarded a controversial penalty by Gabonese referee after full-back Tawana Chikore was adjudged to have fouled Mozambican international Luis Miquissone.
Television replays, however, showed that the foul was committed outside the box and the spot was only taken after six minutes as the Zvishavane miners threatened to walk out.
Mapeza had to intervene and told them to carry on.
Defender Erasto Nyoni scored to give the hosts the lead.
Though goalkeeper Francis Tizayi deserves a stick for failing to handle what appeared to be a not so threatening shot, Shomari Kapombe, who grabbed Simba’s second, appeared to have been in an offside position when the initial shot was taken.
The Zimbabweans had a chance to bounce back but Ralph Kawondera missed a glorious opportunity.
Substitute John Bocco ensured Simba progress to the lucrative group stage after he grabbed their third from close range.
Zambian Clatous Chama scored the fourth from the spot after an undisputable call by the ‘blundering’ referee. FC Patinum will now drop to the second-tier Confederation Cup group stage with draws set for this Friday. Nhau/Indaba