adminThe 2013 Castle Lager League programme gets underway over the Easter weekend and FC Platinum, who will face Buffaloes in their opening game, will fine-tune their preparations by dating Friday Phiri’s debutants in the border town. FC Platinum assistant coach Tendai Chikuni said they had put behind them the disappointment of losing to CAPS United in the NetOne Charity Sheild semi-finals and had turned their attention on the league programme.
“We want to keep our guys in shape since last week we were all participating in the referendum. Our morale is high and the defeat by CAPS United is now water under the bridge and our focus is on what’s coming next weekend,” said Chikuni.
Chikuni also explained the rationale behind relegating re-called striker and reigning Premiership Golden Boot award winner Nelson Maziwisa on the bench.
“We have 28 players in the squad and Maziwisa has been doing very well scoring from the bench. We hope one day his time will come. We will still be trying some combinations because we also have Charles (Sibanda) and Donald (Ngoma), who is also equally good,’’ Chikuni said.
Maziwisa formed a deadly combination with Ngoma in 2010, and together they helped the platinum miners to promotion with Maziwisa scoring 11 goals in that year. FC Platinum, who are now under the guidance of Zambian, Tennant Chilumba, offloaded a number of senior players and decided to put faith in young blood. Tripple B coach — Phiri — said he was looking forward to the match and revealed that he would be paying more attention to his team’s performance.
“The season is kicking off soon and I want to have a final look at my players to see if we are strong enough to compete. I have Aleck (Marime) and Itai (Ngwandu) whom I expect to use too,’’ said the 56-year-old coach, who made his name as a player with CAPS United.
Phiri also confirmed that his club had not yet agreed terms with goal poacher Norman Maroto, who has been training with the border town newcomers.
While FC Platinum will be preparing for Buffaloes by engaging Tripple B, the Mutare soldiers will be at home to another Premiership newcomer How Mine at Sakubva.
How Mine, who have engaged Philani Mabhena as coach recently signed Khumbulani Banda, Brighton Dube, Ntokozo Thsuma, Menard Mupera, Gilbert Banda, Simon Njeleza, Lloyd Ngara and Nyambi Nyambi from FC Platinum.
Online Reporter