Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THIS afternoon’s showdown between FC Platinum and Chicken Inn at Mandava Stadium goes far beyond the usual fight for points.
For the hosts, this will be their first home match since the tragic loss of midfielder Brian Banda, a beloved figure at the club.
The wounds are still fresh, and the match represents not just a competitive fixture but a step in the club’s journey towards healing. FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza admitted the difficulty his players have faced in preparing for the match amid the mourning period.
“In terms of our preparations, I can’t complain. The guys have been pushing. Everybody knows what happened to us in the last week, everyone was mourning and we started training on Friday last week.
I have been talking to the boys. It wasn’t easy what happened to us and everyone associated with this club but we are ready for the game. Now we have to work on the psychological aspect of the game,” said Mapeza.
For FC Platinum players, the key this afternoon will be to find emotional balance by channelling their grief into a unified and purposeful performance.
While the pain of losing Brian Banda still lingers, the squad must now use his memory as a rallying point.
Playing at home, in front of their supporters, provides an ideal stage to honour their fallen teammate through dedication, discipline, and heart.
“We are playing a good team in Chicken Inn. They are coming into this game after a convincing victory over Yadah, so in terms of morale they will be up there so it’s not going to be easy. If you look at the games we have played against Chicken Inn here at Mandava Stadium, they always come here and give us problems. But we are ready. It’s all about the mind now, and we’ll see what happens on Saturday. Our games with Chicken Inn are never easy. They are always difficult games. It’s all about the mind.”
While FC Platinum look inward for strength, their opponents Chicken Inn are brimming with renewed optimism after a 2–1 victory over Yadah Stars last weekend.
The Bulawayo-based side are 11th on the table with 20 points from 18 matches and will be hoping to use the win as a springboard for a stronger second half of the season.
Adding to their momentum is the confirmed loan signing of striker Lynoth Chikuhwa, last season’s Castle Lager Golden Boot winner, who joins from Scottland.
Chikuhwa, who netted 17 goals last year, has struggled abroad this season but could be the attacking boost Chicken Inn have lacked.
Chicken Inn have also appointed seasoned coach Philani Mabhena as their new assistant, replacing Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi, who has been redeployed to the club’s development structures.
Most of the players at Scotland are not struggling as such but lack enough game time. It would make sense if the ZPSL introduces a B team league now until the end of the season. Teams would benefit from keeping the rest of their players in shape. Most teams are between 25 and 30 players each. They can even have as much as 33 players. Enough to have two teams play on the same day.