Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FC Platinum believe they have found the answer to their scoring problems in Namibian striker Isaskar Gurirab, and will test the new weapon when they host giants Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Mandava this afternoon.
Gurirab was on target in just his second game — the 1-0 win over Bulawayo Chiefs last week — and coach Joel Luphahla is hoping that spark can ignite a push up the table.
Luphahla is also expecting midfielder Mason Mushore, who recently returned home following a brief stint with South African top-flight side AmaZulu, to be part of the Zvishavane miners’ turnaround.
A former Dynamos assistant coach, Luphahla, believes that FC Platinum have been playing exciting football, but the four-time champions were always falling short when it came to converting their advantage into wins.
“We brought Isaskar Gurirab for a reason. He’s someone that I have worked with before. He is a striker that we have been lacking,” said Luphahla.
“Even in the first game when he played, you could see the qualities that he has. But equally so, I don’t agree that we haven’t been playing well.
“Yes, we haven’t been winning, but we have been dominating teams that come here. But we have always said to dominate is not to win games.”
But the former Zimbabwe international said he saw encouraging signs in their 1-0 away win at Bulawayo Chiefs last week, which boosted confidence ahead of the clash with Dynamos.
“We need to put the ball at the back of the nets, and this is what we did away in Bulawayo.
“And we are hopeful that the coming in of Gurirab and also Mason can also help these boys with their confidence, because for us it was only the confidence that was lacking.
“At the end of the day, we need to win. We are playing at home; we have no excuses.
“And I know that Dynamos are coming here and they know that it’s not going to be easy, and we want to turn Mandava into a fortress.”
Gurirab yesterday said he was feeling rejuvenated and eager to impress his new paymasters after getting a second chance to redeem his career in Zvishavane.
The expat forward was left frustrated by the lack of game time at his previous club Scottland who he had joined at the beginning of the season with high expectations.
“You know, when you actually join a new team, as a player, you always try to give your best. You try to improve the team, and unfortunately for me, it did not go well.
“But there’s always a second chance, and this is a new chapter for me to look forward to, to try and improve and help the team with getting the three points.
“We’ve been having a lot of draws, but hopefully with myself and with the team and with the players as well, we’ll have to get the pressure off our teammates and the technical team so we get back to winning ways,” said Gurirab.
The Namibian made a quiet start on the 1-1 draw with Highlanders at Mandava, their 13th of the season.
But he got it right last week with the priceless strike in Bulawayo.
FC Platinum have had a rather subdued season and sit ninth on the log standings with 31 points from 23 games.
“We are not quite where we want to be as a team,” Gurirab said.
“FC Platinum has quite a huge demand, and we are not actually where we want to be.
“But the aim is to win the remaining games and climb on the log as high as possible as we can and get the results. So yeah, that’s it.”
The Namibian had a decent season at Simba Bhora last season, where he finished with eight goals and is aiming to reproduce his form at FC Platinum.
Interestingly, Luphahla was the coach when Gurirab flourished at Simba Bhora.
“As a player your aim is to always give the best version of yourself, and as they say, you’re only good as your last game.
“So, I just want to take this chance and grab the opportunity to redeem myself and, on my journey of redeeming myself, help the team get to its best position where it belongs. That’s my aim,” said Gurirab.
Dynamos arrived in Zvishavane yesterday with confidence high following the recent fine run under their new Romanian Technical Director Aristica Cioaba, who travelled with his players on the team bus.
But they were without in-form winger Leeroy Mavhunga, who missed the team bus after arriving late at the pick-up point.
The Glamour Boys still cherish faint hopes in the title race after going on a 12-match unbeaten run. DeMbare are third on the log standings with 41 points, eight behind pace setters Scottland.
The arrival of Cioaba brought fresh confidence to the giants, who have adopted a new playing style characterised by a blend of aggressive and possession football, almost the same style that FC Platinum play.
They have also brought in a new striker, Ben Daouda Sidibe, to sharpen their strike force, but the Burkinabe had a subdued debut in the goalless draw against Simba Bhora at Rufaro on Sunday.
Cioaba has been calling for patience from the DeMbare supporters.
“I think all the people here understand that I have been here for just two weeks. (Sidibe is also) new in your country, he also has to understand football. The players need more support and morale more than anything,” said Cioaba.
Dynamos have always found it tough to win games at Mandava.
The Harare giants last picked maximum points at Mandava in 2019.
Fixtures:
Today: Simba Bhora v MWOS (Wadzanayi), Chicken Inn vs TelOne (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum vs Dynamos (Mandava), Scottland v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Triangle v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Gibbo), Agama vs Hardrock (Wadzanayi Stadium), CAPS United v FC Hunters (Rufaro)
