ZVISHAVANE - Zambian forward Obrey Chirwa scored a hat-trick at Mandava Stadium yesterday as FC Platinum thrashed CAPS United 6-0 in the ZNA Charity Shield final.
CAPS ended with eight men after David Chipala, George Nyirenda and Hardlife Zvirekwi were all sent off.
Chipala was shown a straight red card by referee Rugare Kusosa for foul language in the first half while Zvirekwi and Nyirenda were given their matching in the second half.
Nyirenda was a second bookable after a lunge on Chirwa while Zvirekwi was sent for an early shower for also insulting Kusosa.
Even though his side finished the match three men down, CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro summed up the defeat as a “disgrace” for the Green Machine, who were rocked by a player revolt last week over unpaid bonuses.
“This is a disgrace to the CAPS United family. It’s a disgrace and I want to apologise, that’s all I can say,” said Mangwiro after the match.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza described it as a well-deserved victory for the Zvishavane-based side.
“Credit should go to everyone at FC Platinum. We deserved this victory and it's a delight for us to have won this match,” said Mapeza.
“I don’t want to talk about CAPS United and their sending offs,” said Mapeza.
The day belonged to Chirwa, who banged a well-taken hat-trick and made also involved in the other goals as he made three assists.
Chirwa opened the scoring as early as the second minute after taping in a cross from Tarisai Rukanda on the right.
Chirwa capitalised on poor defending as the CAPS defence were hesitant to clear allowing the Zambian an easy tap in.
The Zambian added his second goal in the first minute of added time of the first half.
Eight minutes after the break, Chirwa was at it again when opened up the CAPS defence before sending in a menacing cross into the box and defender George Nyirenda beat his goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo in an attempt to clear.
Five minutes later, it was 4-0 in favour of the home side when Chirwa set up Rukanda as the goals kept on coming.
Second half substitute Walter Musona scored the fifth eight minutes from time with a fine solo effort.
There was no denying Chirwa his hat-trick when he beat Muchambo with a low shot at the near post four minutes before the end.