adminBruce Chikuni
LAST season, Devon Chafa achieved a rare feat by becoming the first domestic player to win seven league titles.
He ticked that box in a Castle Lager Premiership decider against his current paymasters, CAPS United, at the National Sports Stadium.
Makepekepe needed just a point, in that fixture, to take home the league title.
But, as fate would have it, Perfect Chikwende’s 60th minute strike was what the miners needed to register their third successive championship win.
The victory meant more to Chafa, who will have something unique to show after his retirement.
Norman Mapeza’s men are scheduled to visit the same venue again, in the league’s potential deciding match, against the Green Machine.
Ironically, FC Platinum defender, Gift Bello, is on the verge of equalling Chafa’s record.
And, there’s a possibility that it can happen in their next assignment against CAPS United, at the same venue where Chafa made his case.
Bello, 38, joined the miners in 2014, after spending three seasons with Dynamos.
Prior to his departure, he had won three championships, from 2011 to 2013, under Calisto Pasuwa’s guidance.
He has been part of the miners’ three titles on the trot.
Bello has been the unsung hero at the club but his experience is one of the reasons they have conceded just 11 times.
Petros Mhari, Raphael Muduviwa and Francis Tizayi are also 90 minutes away from winning their fourth title with the club.
It will also be Mapeza’s fifth championship in his career.
He won his first with the now defunct Monomotapa before claiming three more in Zvishavane.
The Castle Lager Premiership will this week make way for the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals on Sunday
All fixtures will be played at Mandava.
The defending champions will take on Herentals.
Victory will keep them on track for a league and cup double.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter