Online Reporter
Alberto Chamwadoro, [email protected]
FC PLATINUM head coach Joel Luphahla is still searching for answers after watching his side surrender a narrow advantage against MWOS in last Sunday’s emotionally charged encounter. The frustration lingers, not just because of the result, but because his team twice had their noses in front and twice allowed the visitors to fight their way back into the contest.
Twice the Zvishavane platinum miners took the lead, and twice they let the resilient visitors claw back, leaving Luphahla shaking his head long after the final whistle. He remains convinced that his team had done enough to secure victory and that three points slipped through their fingers when they mattered most. Still, the focus has since shifted forward, with the gaffer confident that his hungry squad will rise to the occasion when they face Simba Bhora in their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at Wadzanai tomorrow.
“The preparations are going well for the game against Simba Bhora. But obviously you cannot ignore the poor result we had playing at home. Because for us, that is a loss — drawing at home in a match that we could have won with ease. So, we take that as a loss. And obviously, the preparations when you are coming from a disappointing result are not so good as when you have won.
“But it is our duty as a technical team to make sure that we psyche the players up. And we are worried that we haven’t won away. Now, we are going to Wadzanai and we are going to try again to make sure that we collect the full three points,” said Luphahla.
The coach admitted that the defensive lapses displayed in recent matches have taken a toll on his players, both physically and mentally. He was candid in acknowledging how costly mistakes at crucial moments can quickly drain momentum and belief within a team.
“These players, there are errors that can suck the energy away from you. I think the mistake that we made towards the end of the first half did take a lot of energy from the players. We tried to claw back, and I think we scored a beautiful second goal. And we are struggling to close shop.
“I think that’s my responsibility as a coach to make sure that we plug that gap because we are scoring. If you can score two goals, especially this difficult 2026 season, you must be able to wrap up the full set of points. But we are scoring goals and we are also conceding, which I think is something that needs to be tied down as soon as possible.”
Looking ahead to the trip to Wadzanai, Luphahla anticipates an open and competitive contest, noting similarities in the recent struggles of both sides. He expects heightened motivation from Simba Bhora, particularly given the personal connections involved, but insists his own team will approach the fixture with clarity and calm.
“We are going to Simba away. They conceded two goals at home, we conceded two goals at home, so it’s an open game for us. I know that the Simba players will be psyched up, their morale will be high because they wouldn’t want to lose to their former coach. And we are going there — we don’t have anything to prove, it’s not a grudge match or anything, it’s just a game like any other game. We are going there relaxed and trying to make sure that for the first time away, we can collect the full set of points.”
He ended with a firm but emotional appeal to both his players and the club’s supporters, underlining the responsibility that comes with wearing the FC Platinum badge and performing for fans who invest both money and emotion into the team.
“I’m hoping that the boys learned from the previous match that sometimes you need to be more professional and respect the badge of the club, respect the fans that are paying a lot of money to come and watch us. This season is expensive — US$5 is a lot of money for an ordinary citizen. So, we are expecting that their money should be worthy of the performance.
“The previous game, I felt that we did not respect our fans, the way we conceded, especially the first goal. We have spoken about that. These are our kids. You cannot punish your kids. At times they’ll make mistakes but there is a way that we correct that. Internally we have worked on it, we have corrected that, and I can assure people that they are going to see a different team.
“We know we can play good football and we need to make sure that the good football is followed by good results because I know that the people of Zvishavane are hungry for success. This team has always been doing very well, and I knew when I came here that I’m taking over a mammoth challenge and I am prepared. I trust myself, I know that I’m a good coach, and I know that these boys are going to come good. We just need that little bit of preparedness to make sure that we start getting these wins going. If we get two, three on the trot, this team is going to be unstoppable.”
For FC Platinum, the journey remains unfinished, but belief, accountability and hunger still drive the camp as they set their sights on turning promise into points.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: FC Hunters v Triangle (Heart Stadium), MWOS v Scottland (Ngoni), Simba Bhora v FC Platinum (Wadzanayi), Ngezi Platinum Stars v AGAMA (Baobab), TelOne v Herentals (Ascot), Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Manica Diamonds v Hardrock (GreenFuel Arena)
Sunday: Highlanders v CAPS United (Barbourfields), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)
