Former Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo makes a return to the Zimbabwean football field after five years as he leads his new team FC Platinum against his former paymasters Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Gumbo joined the Midlands big money spenders as head coach on June 1, taking over from Patrick Mandizha and Philani Mabhena, who had interchanged positions in caretaker capacities following the death of Benjamin Moyo in April.
FC Platinum’s maiden campaign in the Premiership has been brilliant with the platinum miners perched on position two on the log table with six wins, three losses and two draws from 11 games, trailing pacesetters Motor Action by four points.
A two-time championship winning coach with Bosso, Gumbo left the Bulawayo giants in 2002 and had a flirtation with Harare sides Caps United, Sporting Lions, Motor Action and Buymore before leaving for Malawi in 2005, where he won two league titles with MTL Wanderers.
He then crossed over to Botswana, where he landed the be-Mobile Premier League championship with Township Rollers in the 2009/10 season and finished second with Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the 2010/11 season before joining FC Platinum.
He takes his first game against his former club this afternoon at Mandava and all eyes will be on him as he seeks to maintain a perpetuation of his foreign exploits on home soil.
FC Platinum boast of some of the best legs in the country with the likes of reigning 2011 Soccer Star of the Year Charles Sibanda, former Dynamos man Benjamin Marere and ex-Gunners’ hitman Norman Maroto.
Former Highlanders stylishmidfielder Joel Ngodzo is also in FC Platinum’s fold and will be out to torment his former paymasters at Mandava. His brother Zephania misses this afternoon’s tie due to suspension.
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Highlanders, on position three in the log standings behind FC Platinum, will be without enterprising right-back Lawson Nkomo and Gift Lunga, who are also suspended.
Coach Mkhuphali “Mr Cooper” Masuku welcomes the return of Rahman Kutsanzira, who has been the driving force upfront albeit with a nagging injury that has seen him hop in and out in the first 11 games.
“It’s literally Highlanders versus Highlanders. FC Platinum has bought the who is who of Zimbabwean football and they now have one of the best coaches in the land. We have two suspensions, Lawson and Gift are out but we are however ready for that match. We are not going to change tactics and we will play our normal game,” Masuku said.
Arnold “Majaivana” Tshuma has been holding fort in the Highlanders midfield with Eric Mudzingwa playing the attacking role. Misheck Mburayi and Bosso top goal scorer Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube are likely to start upfront.
Bruised Chicken Inn, who fell 2-0 to Hwange last week, host Kiglon at Luveve Stadium this afternoon while the coal miners seek to continue with their winning ways when they take on Motor Action at the Motor Action Stadium.
Masvingo United, hard-pressed to improve their performance on the road, take on Caps United at the National Sports Stadium.
Zimbabwe Saints host Shabanie Mine at Luveve Stadium on Thursday afternoon before meeting arch-rivals Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Fixtures:
Wednesday Caps United v Masvingo United (National Sports Stadium), Blue Ribbon v Monomotapa (Gwanzura), FC Platinum v Highlanders (Mandava), Motor Action v Hwange (Motor Action Stadium), Shooting Stars v Gunners (Sakubva), Chicken Inn v Kiglon (Luveve)
Thursday: Zimbabwe Saints v Shabanie Mine (Luveve), Black Mambas v Dynamos (Rufaro).
