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Can Bosso break FC Platinum jinx?

Sport
Bosso Vs FC Platinum

HIGHLANDERS host champions FC Platinum this coming Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match hoping to break the jinx of failing to beat the Zvishavane-based miners since 2014.

The match comes on the back of Bosso's success over Black Rhinos, who they beat 1-0 on the road.

That they ended another unwanted record at the weekend should give Bosso the confidence against Norman Mapeza's side.

The Bulawayo giants last beat Rhinos in Harare in October 2013 and even in the year that the soldiers were relegated in 2014, Highlanders returned from the capital empty-handed.

When Rhinos bounced back to the topflight league in 2017, they bossed Bosso in Harare until last Saturday when young Mckinnon Mushore scored his first goal in his maiden game for Bulawayo giants to claim victory.

Highlanders carry that momentum to BF on Sunday when they entertain FC Platinum who are chasing their 5th title on the trot.

Could Sunday be another day of exorcising a demon for Highlanders?

Last year, the two sides met in Zvishavane in a game that ended prematurely due to crowd trouble when the scoreline was 1-0 in favour of the home side, only for FC Platinum to win it 3-0 via a PSL tribunal. FC Platinum travelled to Emagumeni and picked up three points following a 3-2 win.

Before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic break, it was a goalless draw in Mandava and a 1-1 stalemate at BF in 2018 and the previous year, Highlanders lost in Zvishavane and settled for a draw at BF.

In 2017, the Bulawayo giants lost at home and settled for a draw at Mandava, while in 2016 they lost six points to FC Platinum who hammered them 3-0 at Mandava and 2-1 at BF.

 In 2015, FC Platinum won at BF and drew at home.

Sunday is an opportunity for Brazilian coach Baltemar Brito to conjure another first for Highlanders after beating Rhinos in Harare last Saturday.

Highlanders drew their first game 0-0 to ZPC Kariba and beat Rhinos, while FC Platinum have won their two games against Simba Bhora (away) and Cranborne Bullets.

Players have changed over the years for the two clubs with coaches Kelvin Kaindu, Bongani Mafu, Erol Akbay, Amin Soma-Phiri, Madinda Ndlovu, Pieter de Jongh, Mandla Mpofu and Brito failing to get the edge over FC Platinum.

 

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