FC Platinum head to Masvingo for UTD friendly

Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
FC PLATINUM will this weekend head to Masvingo where they will face Masvingo United in a friendly match set for Mucheke Stadium.

The side’s lunchtime kick-off is set for Saturday.

FC Platinum will begin the Premier Soccer League season with a Castle Challenge Cup encounter against Chibuku Super Cup winners, Bulawayo Chiefs on March 11.

The next weekend will see them begin their title defence with a clash against Simba Bhora. FC Platinum began their pre-season preparations with a camp in Bulawayo before heading back to Zvishavane.

The platinum miners have maintained the bulk of their squad including Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, Brian Banda, Gift Bello, Innocent Mucheneka and Panashe Mutimbanyoka.

They parted ways with five players, among them veteran defender William Stima, Blessing Moyo, Evidence Tendayi, Nigel Makumbe who is back with Ngezi Platinum Stars after a loan deal and young Nigerian forward Abubakar Temitope Onifade dispatched on loan to newboys Simba Bhora.

Mapeza only added three new players following the reunion with Perfect Chikwende and the signing of ex-Dynamos and Cranborne Bullets winger Jarrison Selemani and Misheck Ngwenya from Triangle.

Mapeza’s opponents in the Castle Challenge Cup are going about with their rebuild exercise with Dalubuhle Dlodlo being the side’s latest acquisition. They have also roped in the vastly experienced Danny Phiri and Stima.

Bulawayo Chiefs lost the trio of Moyo twins Elvis and Kevin as well as Arthur “Diego” Musiyiwa to Dynamos, utility player Kelvin Madzongwe who found home at Caps United as well as forward Chikwende who rejoined FC Platinum.

Attacking midfielder Hughe Chikosa has headed to Simba Bhora, with goalkeepers David Bizabani and Matripples Muleya moving to Green Fuel and Triangle United, respectively.

Bulawayo Chiefs are also closing in on ex-national team midfielder Last Jesi.

The former Manica Diamonds FC and FC Platinum midfield genius had a brief spell at Al Hilal FC of Sudan in 2020. -@innocentskizoe