By Eddie Chikamhi
HARARE – FC Platinum believe the time has come to end their winless run against champions Dynamos and the Zvishavane side will march into Rufaro today bullish that they can stop that rot in a key Castle Lager Premiership showdown.
A bumper holiday crowd is expected at Rufaro and the country’s richest team, which tops the league standings, is confident that they will be able to inflict a first defeat on DeMbare.
FC Platinum fans have not yet forgotten how the Glamour Boys wrecked their season when they edged them 1-0, in their backyard two years ago, when a draw would have been enough to give their club a maiden league championship title.
They will welcome their leading scorer Nelson Maziwisa and youthful defender Kelvin Moyo, who return from national team duty. The pair was in Zambia for a friendly match against Chipolopolo at the weekend and the players were expected to link up with the rest of their teammates in Harare last night.
However, the platinum miners were yesterday waiting on the team doctor’s report as injury worries lingered over fullback Raphael Muduviwa.
The FC Platinum squad is very rich in terms of depth and coach Tennant Chilumba was yesterday having a welcome headache juggling on whom to leave out of this contest.
The miners are expected to have their full arsenal following the return of Mitchell Katsvairo from suspension for the red card he picked against Chicken Inn three weeks ago.
They were also boosted by the recovery of Donald Ngoma from injury and the speedy forward, who was on the DeMbare radar during the off-season, has been in good form.
FC Platinum blocked his move, even when the player had said he wanted to go to the Glamour Boys, because the miners felt that would be tantamount to boosting the arsenal of their rivals.
And, to rub salt into the wounds of the Glamour Boys, the platinum miners snatched Zambian international defender, Aaron Katebe, from right under their noses.
Dynamos will have to contend with the strong midfield department which comprises ball players like Ali Sadiki, Charles Sibanda, Allen Gahadzikwa and Joel Ngodzo.
FC Platinum assistant coach Tendai Chikuni yesterday said they were aiming at getting their first victory against the Harare giants, who have dominated them in the last two years since they gained promotion.
DeMbare have won all the four league games they played against FC Platinum in 2011 and 2012, but Chikuni believes they are in a good state of mind to turn the tables following their flying start this year.
“Dynamos are a very big club and they have been champions for the last two years. So everyone in the team knows what is expected against such an opponent,” said Chikuni.
“The sad thing is that we have never beaten them since we got promoted. So, we are prepared to fight to the last minute to get maximum points tomorrow (today). We have started the season well and morale is high among the players.”
DeMbare skipper Murape Murape says his team needs to collect maximum points, at all cost, this afternoon. The Harare giants are coming from their first win in six league games following the 2-0 victory over Tripple B at the weekend.
“Obviously, we are quite aware that FC Platinum are more determined than ever to beat us for the first time,” said Murape.
“We should not expect an easy game because they are doing very well. For them to be on the top of the table means they are a strong side. But we are Dynamos. We have never played an easy game because everyone wants to win against Dynamos and that is why we have not had it easy.
“So we are not looking at FC Platinum’s results this year because we do not worry about things we cannot have control over. In fact, our worry is that we need to continue winning consistently and I believe it is possible if we carry that spirit of self-belief. Our goal this year is to win the championship again.
“This is an important game for us especially after winning our last game. Things have not been smooth for us but we want consistency.”
Coach Callisto Pasuwa might be tempted to retain the winning team that played in the last game against Tripple B with former CAPS United forward Washington Pakamisa, who finally broke his goal drought in that match on Sunday, likely to get the nod again alongside Patrick Khumbula.
Meanwhile, CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro will be seeking to maintain a good run when he leads the Harare giants in search of a third straight victory away at Chicken Inn since his return from the Asiagate suspension.
The Green Machine captain, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, yesterday warned his side to guard against complacency as they face a side that is badly battered.
Chicken Inn have lost their last three games against Hwange, Monomotapa and FC Platinum while CAPS United, in sharp contrast, were winning.
“I believe we have been playing good football of late but we must not get too excited,” said Khumbuyani.
“Although Chicken Inn have been going through a bad patch, they are not a bad side at all. We should actually be on our guard because they (Chicken Inn) are at home and are eager to get their act together,” he added.
The home team’s captain Felix Chindungwe yesterday said they were not going to be negative in their approach.
“We have had a bad run but we need to correct our mistakes. It’s no use to look at what has happened to us in the last three games. What is important is to pick ourselves up and continue with the fight,” said Chindungwe.
Fixtures:
Today: Shabanie Mine v Hwange (Maglas),
Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve),
Black Mambas v Harare City (Morris Depot),
Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro),
Triangle v Monomotapa (Gibbo),
Tripple B v Highlanders (Mandava).
Tomorrow: How Mine v Motor Action (Luveve),
Buffaloes v Black Rhinos (Sakubva).
