adminChilumba who joined FC Platinum at the start of the year has seen the miners chalk up two impressive victories under his tutelage and wants them to continue with their 100 percent start when they host anenthusiastic Chicken Inn side who are also unbeaten so far having managed two wins and a draw.
FC Platinum who rarely lose at Mandava will also be aiming to hand the Gamecocks their first defeat of 2013 in a game which like yesterday’s tie between Shabanie Mine and Maglas will be screened live on SuperSport 9.
Chilumba’s men, runners-up in intheir maiden year in the top-flight in 2011 began theircampaign with 2-1 win over Buffaloes in Mutare.
They then accounted for Black Mambas 2-1 at Morris Depot before moving into overdrive to hammer How Mine 4-1 at mandava.
That flying start has helped FC Platinum to lead the log standings on superior goal difference ahead of Highlanders who also have nine points. After getting just the kind of perfect start he had hoped for, Chilumba insists the Zvishavane miners should not let up.
The Zambian coach yesterday said his job is cut out “as everyone knows what they want to achieve this season’’.
“The boys are focused, they know what is at stake and there is no need to push them. They know what they want and we are singing one song, which is winning something for the team.
“They (Chicken Inn), are also enjoying a good form so definitely it will be a good game. From the first whistle we need to be on top of the game,” said Chilumba.
The former Hwange coach said their finishing may prove to be one of their strong departments as they have already have bagged in eight goals with returning striker Nelson Maziwisa contributing five of the goals.
Maziwisa won the Premiership’s Golden Boot award with 18 goals last year and has started the defence of that title in fine form.
Chilumba, however said they would not entirely rely on Maziwisa.
“We have been working on the finishing and the first thing is to score many goals that is the form of defence. This team is not an average side but it is a team of stars. And everything is about team spirit as you can see that Ali Sadiki has scored two goals while Charles Sibanda has also scored a goal so no one is selfish and we keep encouraging each other to score goals,” said Chilumba.
The coach said their club needed to show the football community that the Zimbabwean game “is not only about Highlanders and Dynamos.
“A league title would be a bonus for us, we want FC Platinum to be one of the big teams and show that not everything is about Highlanders and Dynamos but it should also be about Platinum and we are sharing the same vision from the supporters, executive and the players,” said Chilumba.
While the miners would be looking at consolidating their position at the top, Chicken Inn coach Mandla Mpofu is bracing for a tough game.
“It’s a tough call, it’s not going to be an easy game playing a team which has won all their games but we are ready and we will fight.
“We have done very well so far and also want to maintain our unbeaten run,” said Mpofu.
Mpofu said Chicken Inn were reaping the rewards of continuity after they retained the bulk of their players from last season.
Chicken Inn only lost defender Sydney Linyama who joined Harare Giants Dynamos while Evans Chikwaikwai is still sidelined by a long term injury and and can only be registered during the mid-season window if he recovers.
Mpofu however has an array of young talent like strikers Tendai Ndoro and Mkhokheli Dube who joined the team from South African Premiership outfit AmaZulu and national Under-23 midfielder Kuda Mahachi.
Online Reporter