Key players Joel Ngodzo and Benjamin Marere will be the major absentees in the FC Platinum line-up when the Zvishavane side takes on Chicken Inn in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at Luveve Stadium on Saturday.
According to PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele, the two players would be out due to a one-match suspension after accumulating three yellow cards each.
The moneybags have been dislodged at the top of the log table by defending champions Motor Action.
FC Platinum and Motor Action are tied at 41 points, but Joey Antipas and his men are on top of the log because they have conceded less goals.
Mighty Bulls have conceded 10 goals while FC Platinum have let in 14 although the Zvishavane side has scored 30 goals while the Mighty Bulls have scored 27 goals.
Chicken Inn coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube yesterday told NewsDay Sport they were ready for the game despite FC Platinum head coach Rahman Gumbo’s impressive record in coaching.
“The club has invested in a lot of players and they have a good coach. Gumbo has taken everything on offer having won the league in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Botswana, but we will play our normal game and hope for a good result,” he said.
Chicken Inn were going through a rough patch but picked up form when they walloped Kiglon 5-0 in Harare during the Heroes holiday before dismissing Hwange 2-0 at Luveve Stadium.
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On Sunday, Chicken Inn came from a goal down to grab an equaliser and collect a point against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.
The Drumstick Special Boys have in their books former footballer of the year Evans Chikwaikwai, Tendai Ndoro, Thomas Chimenya and Daniel Zokoto.
Ncube said Morris Kadzola, Chikwaikwai and Canaan Nkomo were undergoing assessment as they are on the injury list.
Heritani Masuku, Thabani Goredema and Danny “Deco” Phiri, who broke the hearts of Highlanders fans when he equalized for Chicken Inn on Sunday, are other alternatives available for Ncube.
Njabulo Nyoni should be in between the posts for Chicken Inn and will work closely with Gilbert Majoni, Skhumbuzo Banda, Herbert Dick, Felix Chindungwe and Frank Mvula.
FC Platinum have assembled a squad which boasts of reigning footballer of the year Charles Sibanda, who has proved to be in a class of his own and is very vital upfront.
They have depth in Norman Togara, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Daniel Vheremu, Khumbulani Banda as well as Mthulisi Maphosa, who has returned from a spell with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe.
Also in the team are Thabani Kamusoko, Ntokozo Tshuma, Mernard Mupera, Bhekimpilo Ncube and youngster Donald Ngoma.
Platinum goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, who has been brilliant since taking over from Nengomasha Muranganwa, will be hoping to keep a clean sheet.
Results have not been favourable in the last three games as the platinum miners failed to find the target in the 0-0 draw against Motor Action, the 1-0 loss Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium and another goalless draw against Zimbabwe Saints.
