BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
AFTER an active transfer window Bulawayo Chiefs have an opportunity to make a big statement in the league when they host defending champions FC Platinum in a rescheduled Castle Lager Premier League week three class at Luveve this afternoon.
Chiefs, who have been a breath of fresh air with the kind of professionalism they are trying to bring into the local game, have brought in former Fc Platinum players namely Warriors midfielder Kelvin Madzongwe, Kelvin Moyo, Elvis Moyo and Perfect Chikwende.
Other top players signed by the ambitious club include veteran striker Obadiah Tarumbwa and Obriel Chirinda as well as Ghanaian import Dela Akorli.
The team also has partnered sports betting company MWOS as the principal kit sponsor for the next 12 months with an option to extend the deal in future.
But coach Nilton Terroso still has massive respect for FC Platinum.
“We are confident, but we don’t confuse confidence with arrogance. We respect Platinum, of course they are led by a well-respected coach, someone who even led our national team just last month in the Afcon. A team that has won the last three titles and the two years before that finished top three,” Terroso said.
“A team that last year won the Chibuku Cup and in the nine games they played in the Chibuku Cup they drew one and lost 1and the two games in the season. They have won them both so in 11 games in one year they have lost one, we can’t hide away from that,” Terroso said.
Mapeza is also wary of the threat posed by Amakhosi.
“We are aware that Bulawayo Chiefs have been busy during this break and they now look like a very strong team, so it’s not going to be easy for us. Our preparations have gone on very well. It’s all about the psychological part of the game, which we are just dealing with at the moment,” he said.
FC Platinum, who are third on the standings have won two of the matche they have played so far while Chiefs have one draw and one win so far.