THINGS are looking well and lively for FC Platinum again. After a tumultuous start to the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, the Zvishavane-based side has plundered 21 goals in their last 10 matches, an average of two goals per match to collect 21 points from a possible 30, equating to one loss, three draws and six wins.
BY WELLINGTON TONI
Their last loss was on May 5 against Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium where they conceded a last-minute goal.
That has enabled them to move from the bottom eight to fifth place with 28 points, just one off defending champions Dynamos in fourth and How Mine who are in third place.
Their biggest wins so far have come from thrashing Buffaloes 4-1 in the reverse fixture, beating ZPC Kariba 3-0 at Nyamhunga and defeating How Mine 3-0 at home. They have also beaten Triangle 3-2 at Gibbo.
This weekend, Norman Mapeza’s charges demolished Buffaloes 3-0 at Sakubva via a Brian Muzondiwa first career hattrick and things are certainly looking good ahead of the Week 18 battle against Hwange at Mandava.
After facing Hwange, they will travel to Barbourfields Stadium for a date with fading giants Highlanders, while Week 20 will serve a home tie against struggling ZPC Kariba.
Their tough ties in the home stretch — the last 10 games of the season — will feature Triangle in Week 21 and Dynamos in Week 22 — both matches at Mandava and Week 26 against Chicken Inn in Bulawayo.
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Platinum have taken advantage of slow progress by the teams above them, notably Chicken Inn, leaders Triangle and defending champions Dynamos.
Dynamos have won once in their last seven outings, while Triangle have also won three times and drawn twice.
Chicken Inn have drawn twice, lost once and won two matches and are banking on a boardroom decision against Dongo Sawmill to get back to the top of the log.
Their match last month was abandoned in the 60th minute with Chicken Inn leading 1-0 after Dongo protested that their medic had been beaten by the hosts’ assistant coach Julius Ndlovu.
Ndlovu has been charged, while Dongo were also charged for causing the abandonment of the match.
History shows that results of a match do not change, unless a replay is ordered and should Chicken Inn get those three points, they will move to 34, two above Triangle.
On the business front, Platinum have been busy as well.
Veteran striker Donald Ngoma has joined Young Africans in Tanzania, while Obrey Chirwa is now with Hobro IK in Denmark. And who knows Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona might join FK Seneca in Slovakia.
Zambian international defender Aaron Katebe is wanted by Wydad Casablanca in Morocco and Thabani Kamusoko could leave for Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa, although he was part of the team that travelled to Mutare on Sunday.
They have raided Tsholotsho for rising Warriors midfield general Gerald Takwara whom they signed last week on a two-and-half-year contract and they might conclude more signings before the transfer window closes on July 31.
