Online Reporter
Mugove Chigada
Deputy Sports Editor
WHEN South African Thabo Senong finally walks into Mandava for what promises to be a historic journey with former champions FC Platinum, the expectation will be immediate and unforgiving.
But away from the fanfare, FC Platinum may need a dose of realism. The terrain of the Castle Lager Premiership has shifted beneath them.
Joel Luphahla’s sacking this week was a stark statement from a club still ambitious and desperate to avoid being dragged into the murky waters at the bottom.
Yet the writing has been on the wall for sometime. Not even a change in the dugout can alter the reflection staring back at them.
In an exclusive interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub, club chief executive Collin Nikisi painted a picture of a club that remains intact and unwilling to deviate from their policy, even under pressure.
“We do things that are sustainable. We are clear on our goals, and we believe we can still get results,” said Nikisi.
But long before Nikisi’s arrival in 2025, FC Platinum’s position in the domestic league was already under threat.
In 2023, they finished 11 points adrift of eventual champions Ngezi Platinum.
The 2024 champions, Simba Bhora, ended the season five points ahead of them.
Last year, champions Scottland were 20 points better off.
In summary, the emergence of Simba Bhora and Scottland, coupled with the continued threat of Ngezi Platinum, has brought an end to FC Platinum’s era of dominance.
And with the traditional giants, Dynamos, Highlanders, and CAPS United, showing signs of life this season, the pressure has only intensified.
That 31 points from the first 25 games of this season represent their worst return since 2017, when they first won the title, speaks volumes about how far the mighty have fallen.
To put it in perspective, in 2018, after 25 games, they were on a record 58 points, 17 more than they have now. That gulf defines a collapse.
Even in 2019, when they collected their lowest tally of 42 points after 25 matches, they still went on to win the title. They were not as poor as they were this time.
Yet behind the walls at Mandava, where the memory of four titles won in a row remains a fresh legacy that must not be distorted, there is insistence that a clear plan exists to return to the summit.
“We understand things have changed with the coming in of new clubs. And that also means the competition has increased,” Nikisi said.
“But we also believe we have quality players, and it is unfortunate it didn’t work out with coach Joe.”
It is difficult, however, to ignore that in 2011, when FC Platinum were still new to the PSL, they occupied the very position Scottland hold now.
They could buy whoever they wanted. And that is a fact.
“Perhaps the difference with our rivals at the moment has been the experience, especially among attacking players,” Nikisi said.
“But we believe we have the quality. And we also believe our operations have to be sustainable in that we must groom our own players from our juniors and focus on all the areas of club development. That position, however, does not mean we cannot be competitive.”
For this season, FC Platinum have accepted they have fallen far behind and will be hoping merely to give a good account of themselves in the remaining matches as they turn their attention to next season. But the reality is that next season they will need to establish a clear identity, be realistic about their coach’s targets, and do so while co-existing with the long shadow of Norman Mapeza, a constant reminder of how dramatically the balance of power has shifted.
On Saturday, FC Platinum, under an interim set-up, are home to Simba Bhora.
That is Joel Luphahla’s last club before joining them. Off the field, the two clubs could also share notes. Simba Bhora have done far worse after Luphahla’s departure, at least that could be a starting point.
