Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAN FC Platinum be the first team to shatter MWOS’ unbeaten home record at Ngoni Stadium in Norton?
The stakes are high this afternoon as the four-time champions descend on Norton for the first time, keen on succeeding where giants Dynamos and CAPS United, and even star-studded Scottland, were vanquished by Lloyd Mutasa’s Premiership newboys.
MWOS have turned Ngoni into some kind of fortress where visiting teams are not guaranteed anything.
The Punters have been imperious on home turf and remain unscathed in eight league matches hosted at the venue.
But that record faces a rigorous test this afternoon as they welcome Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum, who of late appear to have rediscovered their mojo.
The Zvishavane platinum miners are the only team unbeaten this season and have also managed crucial away wins against teams like CAPS United and TelOne.
The big question is can they do the same at MWOS?
Mapeza was buoyed by his team’s performance last week when they edged Chicken Inn 1-0 at Mandava. He believes they could cause an upset if they can maintain the form.
Mapeza, however, is leaving room for caution as MWOS have shown strong qualities despite playing in the top-flight for the first time.
The Norton side led the race for most of the first half of the season but were dislodged by Simba Bhora after losing to Yadah Stars last week. Both MWOS and Simba Bhora have 40 points but are only separated by goal difference at the apex.
FC Platinum are a distant sixth with 28 points, albeit with two games in hand.
“We are playing a very good side. I think I said it maybe some weeks ago about Simba Bhora as well. If you look at MWOS again, I think they have been one of the best performing teams in the first half of the season,” said Mapeza.
The former Zimbabwe coach also reaffirmed that the platinum miners have dedicated the remainder of the season to their late midfielder Brian Banda, who died in a car accident two weeks ago.
FC Platinum were shaken again early this week after they had another of their players — Oscar Bhebhe — involved in a car accident and could be out for the next three months due to injuries.
“It was a sad development, after losing Brian in the space of two weeks, then last Sunday we heard that Oscar was involved in an accident.
“We all got disturbed because of that, we all got disturbed. But look, we are dealing with adults. We have to give players days off. You know, you can’t follow them wherever they will be going, but we always ask them to go and look after themselves,” said Mapeza.
MWOS are keen to recover from the unexpected loss at Yadah.
To brace for the tough second half of the season, they signed three new players this week, who include Aces Youth alumni Abubakar Moffat, who is returning home after a long stint in Spain’s lower divisions.
Moffat plied his trade at multiple Spanish clubs, including CD Almunécar City, Vélez CF, and FC Malaga City Academy since 2018.
They also welcomed back striker Innocent Masiiwa who spent the last six months at Bikita Minerals.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa said they are looking forward to home advantage.
“We are playing against the former champions FC Platinum, a great side being coached by a great strategist, Norman Mapeza. Yeah, they are coming at Ngoni Stadium and we are looking forward to that game. Remember we lost our last match, and we want to try and make our supporters happy.
“We need the 12th player; we need our supporters to come in large numbers. Remember FC Platinum haven’t lost a match yet this season in the fighting for the championship,” said Mutasa. MWOS will also be following events at Wadzanai, where their championship rivals Simba Bhora host out-of-sorts former champions, Dynamos.
Fixtures:
Today: CAPS Utd v TelOne (Rufaro), Triangle v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Gibbo), GreenFuel v Bikita Minerals (GreenFuel Arena), Kwekwe Utd v Yadah (Bata), MWOS v FC Platinum (Ngoni), Chicken Inn v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Herentals (Sakubva), Simba Bhora v Dynamos (Wadzanai)
Tomorrow: Scottland v Highlanders (Rufaro)
