Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JOEL LUPHAHLA insists he is not re-inventing the wheel at FC Platinum but believes their on-going pre-season tour of Zambia will be crucial in the team’s chase for the “African dream.”
Luphahla, who recently took over the reins at the four-time Castle Lager Premiership champions, has had a busy schedule in the last two weeks of their pre-season training.
The former Zimbabwe international so far brought in 11 new signings to prop up the Zvishavane miners.
To take their preparations a gear up, FC Platinum are currently embarking on a tour in Lusaka, Zambia, for a two-week preseason training camp, with practice matches lined-up against City of Lusaka, Zanaco, Red Arrows, and NAPSA Stars.
Yesterday they faced NAPSA Stars at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka with a Jarrison Selemani solitary strike giving the visitors a win.
Although they have lined-up some friendly matches, FC Platinum also maintained that their training camp is mostly about team bonding, cohesion and overall squad fitness ahead of the 2026 season.
“Every time you get an opportunity to go and prepare out of the country you try to maximise it and get to have one-on-one situations with your players and it allows you to correct small details that we normally miss when we are back home,” said Luphahla.
“We are grateful to the management for this trip, which is an eye-opener for our boys because we get to bond the new and old players.
“Hopefully when we leave this place, we will have a family instead of a football team.
“Families never let each other down; they will learn to play for each other. So, being here helps shape our future.
“So far, we are happy with the progress.”
Luphahla is aiming to mould a strong unit which will be able to fight for their place back at the top of the football ecosystem.
Having finished last season on a disappointing sixth position, FC Platinum have responded by bolstering their squad with their new arrivals, headlined by ex-Highlanders midfielder Mckinnon Mushore and four foreign players who include Namibian Mbakondja Tjahikika, Ghanaian Emmanuel Dogbey, Malawian defender Maxwell Paipi, and Cameroonian goalkeeper Manfred Ekoi.
On the local front, they lured highly-rated midfielder Garikai Dematsika from relegated GreenFuel, former Yadah defender Takunda Vareta, Trevor Bhunu from Golden Eagles and last season’s Central Region Soccer League Golden Boot winner midfielder David Mangesi.
Promising talents Tadiwa Muchenje and Takunda Manyuchi are also at the Zvishavane side.
These have been fused with the retained core that includes the likes of Mbongeni Ndlovu, Hagiazo Magaya, Oscar Bhebhe and Selemani.
But Luphahla is looking just beyond the upcoming season which is why he has also placed emphasis on a relatively young squad.
The decision to sign players with an average age of 24 years was driven by a keen interest in the club’s junior development programme, which birthed the FC Platinum Under-19 that features in the Central Region Soccer League.
“We have brought in a good age because we had to revamp the squad and we went for promise more than names,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“We had to sign ability and hard-working players so that they give this club three to four more years of top football whilst we nurture our own Under-15s and Under-17s to be ready to take over when these ones leave for Europe or SA.
“We are happy with the new guys, although one or two more additions will be welcome if the market makes sense.
“Some players are still getting to terms with our way of doing things but what I like about this group is the zeal to learn.
“You can tell the efforts being put in that we have the correct group with the best attitude and the willingness to adapt but we are happy with the progress,” said Luphahla.
FC Platinum, who previously won four titles in a row between 2017 and 2022, are aiming to reclaim domestic dominance
