Fc platinum muted as suspended duo return to action

Tadious Manyepo

Zimpapers Sports Hub

FC PLATINUM goalkeeper David Bizabani and defender Thubelihle Jubani’s names were tarnished when they were suspended amid investigations that they could have fixed their game against Scottland at Mandava last month.

The pair found themselves being the fall guys when the former champions suffered a humiliating 2-5 league defeat at Mandava.

It was FC Platinum’s first defeat of the season in the championship race.

While Bizabani made a costly blunder after being dispossessed by Tymon Machope for Scottland’s third goal, the former Bulawayo Chiefs ‘keeper made some crucial saves to limit the damage.

On the other hand, there was no notable situation in which Jubani was found culpable.

But, even without the duo, FC Platinum went on to suffer three more defeats and were even bundled out of the Chibuku Super Cup.

Straight after that 2-5 loss to Scottland, FC Platinum exited the Chibuku Super Cup via a penalty shoot-out defeat to Manica Diamonds.

They would be further dented in the league when losing 0-2 to Triangle in the league with CAPS United picking a 1-0 win over them at Mandava the week after.

The club then decided to bring Bizabani and Jubani back into the fold, without announcing the results of their investigations, with the two players being included in the team for the match against Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Bizabani sat on the bench while Jubani played a role but the four-time league champions still lost 0-1.

However, Norman Mapeza’s men have now managed to pick up four points in their past two games after forcing a goalless draw against Manica Diamonds, and winning 1-0 over Highlanders.

It would seem Bizabani is their lucky charm after the ‘keeper secured clean sheets in both ties. Asked about the outcome of the club’s investigations in the match-fixing

allegations, club secretary-general, Liberty Ndangana, said:

“I am in a meeting. I will come back to you.”

He never did.

And, what is now clear is that FC Platinum were just going through a rough patch and, in the aftermath of the humiliation at the hands of Scottland, decided to pick on the two players to divert attention.