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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa remains cautiously optimistic of his team’s chances in this year’s championship race and has challenged his players to improve on their away record when they meet giant-slayers How Mine at Luveve tomorrow.
Kugona Kunenge Kudada are the dark horses in this year’s championship race, which promises a photo-finish for the top four teams, but Mutasa is worried about his charges’ performance on the road.
The former Warriors assistant coach yesterday said he was looking for an improvement from his side which lost 2-0 to Chicken Inn in their last away match that was, ironically, played at Luveve two weeks ago.
In a sharp contrast to their 100 percent home record in their last four matches at Mandava, Kugona Kunenge Kudada have lost three of their last four matches away from home with their only win in that luckless run coming up against relegated side Tripple B at Dalibadzimu.
“We have been playing well of late but there is this element of failing to win away from home which we obviously need to address if we hope to mount a serious challenge on the top teams.
“It appears we are more comfortable playing at home where we are winning most of our matches.
“But we would need to develop a calibre of fighting hard and also winning at other venues,” said Mutasa.
FC Platinum are coming from a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Black Mambas at Mandava during mid-week which helped slash the gap between them and log leaders Highlanders to just three points with two games remaining in the season.
The platinum miners are currently fourth on the log standings with 48 points while Highlanders lead on 51 and followed by Dynamos and Harare City who are tied on 50.
The maximum FC Platinum can reach if they win their last two matches will be 54 and, depending on the outcome from the matches involving the top three teams, they can still be counting on their lucky stars.
Mutasa has all his players at his disposal with midfielder Ali Sadiki, who has been a long-term injury worry, is now back in the fold.
But Mutasa said he will remain cautious.
“How Mine are a very good side and they demonstrated that by reaching the finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, which is a very difficult competition.
“They have beaten some of the big teams including Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United this season and we will not take the risk of underestimating them.
“But we are happy to play such a side and what I am sure of is that if we win our remaining two matches we can end in the top four which is still good for us,” said Mutasa.
How Mine, who are propelled by a strong army of veterans like Hebert Dick, Gilbert Banda, Menard Mupera, Nyasha Mukumbi and former Warriors goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura, are eyeing a top eight finish in their maiden season.
The Bulawayo side made sure they survived relegation when they beat Monomotapa at Gwanzura 1-0 on Wednesday and they are now looking for a place in the top half of the table after climbing into seventh place.
Their coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube said the important thing was to survive the chop in their first season.
And with 41 points to their tally in 28 games, How Mine would need at least one more win to realise their dream.
Triangle, who complete the top eight, have 39 points and will travel to Shabanie Mine hoping to bounce back from the disappointment they suffered away at Highlanders during the midweek.
Gishon Ntini’s side lost 1-0 to Highlanders but they left Barbourfields feeling cheated after two of their players and their coach Ntini were sent away by referee Bekezela Makeka in a match that has triggered so much debate over refereeing standards this season.
Online Reporter