EDWIN MOYO
HARARE- Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, FC Platinum have expressed optimism as they collected maximum points away to new boys, Simba Bhora FC in their first match of the season at the National Sports Stadium over the weekend.
Pure Platinum as FC Platinum is affectionately known by their die hards in mining town of Zvishavane came from a goal down to claim the bragging rights 1-2 through star midfielder, Juan Mutudza who scored a late brace.
Ronald Chitiyo had put the hosts in the driving seat in early stages of the second half of the entertaining match.
FC Platinum coach, Norman ‘Muchina Wemajuzi’ Mapeza was happy with the winning start, saying they were eyeing to collect 13 points in the first 5 games of the season.
“It’s massive, it’s always good to have a good start. We know we are going to have some difficult games in the first five matches so it’s very important that we managed to get maximum points.
“We are looking at a minimum of 13 points in the first five games of the season and if we can get that I think we will be in good running to retain the championship,” he said.
Simba Bhora head coach, dynamos son, Tonderai Ndiraya however expressed disappointment at the way his side defended.
“I thought we had done enough to collect at least a point after we scored that goal but we lost concentration along the way.
“I am disappointed by the way we conceded especially on failing to defend the crosses. This is our first game in the Premier League for us and I will take confidence from the way we performed today,” Ndiraya said after the match.
Meanwhile, in Zvishavane at Mandava Stadium yesterday, the newly promoted ZIFA Central Region Division 1 champions, Sheasham FC aka Construction Boys secured a point in their first match in the topflight league after pulsating nil all draw against former champions Joel Antipas coached, Chicken Inn who had midfielder, Tafadzwa Kutinyu sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half.
