SPORTS REPORTER
ZVISHAVANE – Moneybags FF Platinum president, Dr Blessing Garamumhango has told gaffer, Norman ‘Muchina Wemajuzi’ Mapeza that they want the Castle Lager Premier League title back to the mining town.
He said this during a player unveiling ceremony held at Mandava Stadium on Friday.
MaPlatso as FC Platinum is affectionately known by its legion of fans were last season chasing a record fifth title to surpass Dynamos whom they are tied with at four.
Mapeza made history in 2017 when masterminded the first League title by a team outside Harare and Bulawayo.
They failed to win the title last season as they lost to fellow Platinum miners, Ngezi Platinum Stars FC and the Zvishavane side finished in a respectable position in the top half of the table.
This saw a change of management, as Fabian Mashingaidze and Smartfin Techu were replaced by Garamumhango and Dumisani Sisale as president and chairman respectively.
The new management has come at a time where three senior players of the club have left ie Gift Bello, captain Petros Mhari and Raphael Muduviwa with also Walter Musona, Innocent Mucheneka, Nomore Chinyerere and Perfect Chikwende joining the bandwagon from Zvishavane for greener pastures.
However, the club was not dented by that as they have unveiled six new players and promoted two players from the under 19 squad.
The signing of the players has come at a cost for coach Mapeza who was clearly made aware that the team’s primary target in the league title.
He will have to contend with clubs like Simba Bhora, Dynamos, Highlanders, Manica Diamonds, Ngezi Platinum Stars for the honors.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Garamumhango admitted that last season was difficult, but have since passed that stage and are gunning for the title.
“2023 season was a difficult season where our standards were lower. There is general improvement in the country as a whole but our main target this year is to win the Premier Soccer League and return to play Continental football”, he said.
