Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
A FEW weeks ago Garikai Dematsika walked away from Rufaro with Dynamos supporters wanting to shake his hand after helping FC Platinum beat the Glamour Boys. On Sunday he was back again, and once more people were talking about him.
This time it was against CAPS United.
Dematsika had a quiet first half as FC Platinum struggled to settle and spent long periods under pressure from the log leaders, who created enough chances to kill off the game.
Richard Hachiro, Lloyd Njaliwa and Bret Amidu were controlling the midfield battles and FC Platinum found it difficult to get going.
But things changed after the break.
Dematsika started seeing more of the ball and became more influential as FC Platinum took control of the game after Joel Luphahla’s tactical adjustments.
With a bit of luck, the platinum miners could have walked away with maximum points from the goalless draw.
FC Platinum coach Luphahla believes the former Black Rhinos and GreenFuel midfielder has been one of the team’s biggest positives this season.
“He has been a revelation at FC Platinum. He is a humble boy,” Luphahla told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“He trains like how he plays and is loved by all his teammates.
“I saw him at GreenFuel when I was assistant to Lloyd Mablanyo Chigowe. Last season I missed out on him when I went to Simba Bhora because I had too many midfielders.
“I was surprised no team went for him when GreenFuel were relegated. So when I got the chance at FC Platinum, he was my first signing before we went for the break and you can see why I did that.”
Dematsika’s performance did not go unnoticed.
His combination with second-half substitute Jarrison Selemani gave FC Platinum more energy going forward and also caught the attention of Warriors vice-captain Marshall Munetsi.
Munetsi, who is currently in camp with the national team for the Unity Cup in England, watched the match stream alongside teammates and Warriors assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi.
The midfielder’s display also sparked debate on social media, with some supporters suggesting he could be ready for a national team call-up.
Luphahla feels there is still work to do.
“He is not yet a finished product but we are polishing him for the national team because that is our job as former Warriors players, to develop players for our beloved Warriors,” he said.
Dematsika has played a key role as FC Platinum slowly recover from a difficult start to the season.
The platinum miners are now unbeaten in their last five matches and have moved to 20 points from 14 games, eight behind leaders CAPS United.
Luphahla believes his side are beginning to understand what he wants.
“The boys took too long to adjust to what we wanted but now you can see the belief is there.
“When I look at them now you can tell they don’t want to lose.
They understand what we want and I hope we can build from here.” FC Platinum travel to Triangle this weekend looking to continue their unbeaten run.
