MAPEZA’S MEN TAKE CONTROL

Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

FORMER champions FC Platinum are now certain to end the first half of the 2024 Castle Lager Premiership campaign on top of the table after breaking clear of the chasing pack at the weekend. 

The platinum miners edged Simba Bhora 1-0 at Mandava to create a three-point cushion at the apex just before the mid-season changeover.

It was a weekend dominated by mining teams as second-placed Manica Diamonds stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games.

Ngezi Platinum Stars extended their winning streak to five games on the bounce and they eased into third place, ahead of the final round of the league’s first half fixtures.

They swapped places with Simba Bhora who dropped one place into fourth, with the traditional giants still out of the top four.

Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum, who shot to the top last week, consolidated their place after taking advantage of the failure to pick up maximum points by nearest rivals Manica Diamonds.

The Zvishavane platinum miners are enjoying a rich vein of form with six wins in their last seven games.

They have collected a massive 19 points from a possible 21 since their last defeat on April 28.

Substitute Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya gave them a hard-fought win against in-form Simba Bhora at Mandava on Saturday.

Ngwenya had hardly been on the pitch when the platinum launched an 88th minute counter attack that resulted in the goal.

Mapeza’s men appear to have mastered the art of grinding results in difficult situations.

They also had to dig deep in their previous game at Bulawayo Chiefs where they mined an identical 1-0 win.

After a haphazard start to the campaign, the four-time champions look like they have found their form, scoring 23 times and conceding 10 goals.

FC Platinum now have 34 points to their name and a robust goal difference. All eyes will be on the platinum miners when they travel to Gweru this weekend to face TelOne at Bata.

Considering their form, chances of losing this game are minimal but even if they go ahead and lose, they are still likely to maintain their place at the top because of a healthy goal difference of 13 goals.

Manica Diamonds, who are in second place with 31 points, have a difference of seven goals. The Gem Boys have the longest unbeaten run in the league this season following the goalless draw with Dynamos at Sakubva on Sunday.

They have not tasted defeat since the 0-1 loss to Ngezi Platinum Stars on April 1. Since then, they have stringed together nine wins and three draws against Highlanders, Yadah and Dynamos.

The Gem Boys had a poor start to the season but they have been unstoppable after finding their groove. The same can also be said of defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars, who have collected all the 15 points in their last five outings.