Former Highlanders captain Gilbert Banda will for the first time come face to face with his former paymasters when his FC Platinum team hosts the Bulawayo giants in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium this afternoon.
The veteran defender, alongside midfielder Louis Matawu, joined the ambitious Zvishavane side at the start of the season and their mere presence today will surely stoke the flames.
FC Platinum midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa who went the other direction is set for his homecoming match.
However, teammate Bhekimpilo Ncube, who was also deemed excess baggage at the rich club, will have to wait a little to face his former paymasters due to an injury.
It will also be reunion time for Highlanders’ new coach Kelvin Kaindu and FC Platinum gaffer Rahman Gumbo.
“I have a lot of respect for Rahman Gumbo, who coached me while I was at Highlanders. I know there are players that are at FC Platinum that were with Highlanders. If they left with the team’s blessing, I don’t think there will be any pressure. It will be just an average game, just like any other game.
“I don’t think the presence of those players will have any psychological effect on my boys,” Kaindu said.
While Kaindu tried to downplay the presence of Banda and Matawu in the match, there is no doubt the duo will be under the spotlight.
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Banda, for instance, has, with his defence partner Daniel Vheremu, failed to command their area well.
The suspect backline has conceded a goal in all the league games they have played this season.
FC Platinum beat Black Mambas 3-1, drew one-all against Hwange and were held to a 2-2 draw by city rivals Shabanie Mine before last week’s 1-1 draw to log leaders Chicken Inn.
All in all, the Platinum miners have conceded five goals in four matches, a record Gumbo should be very worried about.
Today, they will be up against one of the most dangerous strikeforces in the league so far. The Highlanders attack has grabbed in 10 goals in three league matches and Banda and crew will have to be at their best to contain them.
While the FC Platinum defence looks suspicious, the team looks very dangerous going forward. Midfielder Joel Ngodzo has regained his form while the duo of Allan Gahadzikwa and Charles Sibanda has been FC Platinum’s trump card so far. If not given due care, they might trouble the Highlanders rearguard.
Highlanders, on the other hand, are coming into the match on the back of a demoralising 2-1 defeat by the Young Warriors in a friendly match played at Barbourfields on Sunday.
Kaindu blamed the defeat on complacency and promised an improved performance today.
First-choice goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda is expected to make a return to the first team line-up after he was rested last week while Honest Moyo and Arnold Ndiweni will join Ncube in the treatment room.
