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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE first one in 2017 was exactly 24 hours after their Patron, President Emmerson Mnangagwa had taken the oath of office as the country’s Head of State. It was a first for the Midlands Province to achieve that feat inside 24 hours as President Mnangagwa is the son of the province.
While their Patron took oath of office in the capital, FC Platinum confirmed their mettle as the Zimbabwean champions right on the Midlands soil, beating Chapungu 2-0 at Ascot Stadium to end years of dominance by Harare and Bulawayo teams.
If anyone thought it was a fluke, well they did it again the following year, claiming their second title last year and recently took possession of the trophy permanently when they stunned fellow title candidates Caps United at the National Sports Stadium.
“While critics viewed our milestones as over ambitious and impossible, we pursued our targets with dogged tenacity and discipline and sure enough our strong resolve paid off. Needless to say, for each of the past years, we have attained our yearly targets. Kudos to the entire team and stakeholders for exhibiting such a rare attribute,” club president George Mawere said in his congratulatory message to the team that is led by chairman Evans Mtombeni on the administrative side and Lizwe Sweswe on the technical front.
The road to success, however, was not smooth sailing especially this year as the club not only lost a number of key players but also saw the unexpected departure of head coach Norman Mapeza, who joined Chippa United in South Africa.
“The road to success was not an easy one. We had our fair share of despair and disappointments but these were punctuated by some magnificently breath-taking and unforgettable moments of celebration. When the going was tough, we remained steadfast in what needed to be done, proving once again that indeed, there is no substitute for hard work and determination.
Guided by our footballing philosophy, which goes beyond just winning matches, throughout the season, we struck a delicate balance of fair and entertaining play that was matched by the highest professional standards. We also learnt the virtues of patience and humility along the way, which will undoubtedly go a long way in helping us to realise our mission to become a force to reckon with, not only in Zimbabwe but Africa at large,” said Mawere.
There was indeed a time when it looked all but gloomy for Pure Platinum Play as they found themselves losing to teams that were fighting relegation like the shock 1-0 loss to Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava Stadium.
Like club president Mawere reasons, with dogged tenacity and discipline, no panic buttons were pressed as everyone remained fully focused and with total belief that victory was certain, victory will come and come it did.
“As we celebrate this momentous achievement today, we remain alive to our vision to be a leading football brand in Africa and are in no way under illusion as to the amount of resources this will take; both material and talent. This vision is no mean aspiration. It calls upon us to search for the guidance and support of the entire nation.
Our success will definitely have far-reaching influence and impact, well beyond Zvishavane and the Midlands Province, and as we celebrate today as the reigning Zimbabwe premier league club football champions, who will once again go on to represent the nation at the highest level of club football on the continent, our celebrations resonate at national level,” said Mawere.
For a team that came into existence in 1995, they have probably surpassed what other so-called giants have achieved. They are now just one title away from equalling a record held by the country’s two biggest clubs, Dynamos and Highlanders.
Third “giant” in the country, Caps United have never won three back-to-back league titles. Pure Platinum Play, on the African front, have done better than Caps United for their back-to-back appearances at the Total Caf Champions League and certainly far better than Bosso who are yet to qualify for the mini league.
“In conclusion, I would like to once again express our most profound gratitude to:
Our Patron, His Excellency President E.D Mnangagwa, our sponsors FC Platinum Holdings, our business partners Mimosa Mining Company, our interim coach, Lizwe Sweswe and his technical team for steering the ship home and former coach Norman Mapeza, who was at the helm of the ship for the past five years and at the onset of the season, club chairman Evans Mtombeni and entire executive, our former Club executives who were led by the former president, Nathan Shoko; whom without his initial guidance, there would be no FC Platinum success, Club supporters, Zvishavane and Midlands communities, media partners, in particular YAFM and all those who chose to believe we can do this,” said club president Mawere.
Online Reporter