Wilson Chipangura, Guest Reporter
Zimbabwean champions FC Platinum were eliminated from the CAF Champions League in the preliminary round after losing to Angolan champions GD Sagrada Esparanca, albeit in a penalty shootout.
Platinum were made to pay after missing a glitz of chances in an entertaining second leg match played at the National Sport Stadium.
The first leg played in Luanda last week also ended in a goalless draw.
Gift Mbweti was the biggest culprit in the first half with his effort hitting the crossbar with the keeper already beaten.
Blessing Moyo and Rodwell Chinyengetere also had their chances agonisingly missing the target both in the first half and after the breather.
The match began with Segrada in control and could have claimed the game after clear chances fell their way but somehow Pure Platinum survived.
In the first 30 minutes the host were technically poor but managed to make amends afterwards and could have written the game off as a contest had they utilised their chances.
The match ended 0-0 during regulation time. In the penalty shootout, GD Sagrada won 5-4 with Chinyengetere missing his penalty for the host to cap an unfortunate day for the veteran forward.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza who was appointed Zimbabwe national team caretaker coach this week was happy with the display by his charges despite elimination.
“It was on the show that there was no sharpness even when we played some training matches I could tell fitness was missing. It all goes down to inactivity, remember we haven’t had games in a while but the boys worked hard and credit goes to them for that.
“I am proud of the boys, they worked hard and it is unfortunate we lost on penalties. It is like a lottery, anything can happen but I am proud of the boys,” said Mapeza.
