Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
IT’S almost 11 years since Lloyd Mutasa quit his post as FC Platinum coach.
The former Dynamos midfielder resigned on August 7, 2014, after failing to steer the ship, at a club that had lofty ambitions.
When Mutasa took over from Zambian Tenant Chilumba in 2013, Pure Platinum Play had finished seventh the previous season, a massive fall from grace for a team that challenged for the title on their debut Premiership season in 2011.
Mutasa guided FC Platinum to fourth position at the end of 2013, before he threw in the towel nine months later.
When the widely-travelled Mutasa quit FC Platinum, he found employment at various clubs including Whawha, Dynamos and TelOne where he assisted the late Rahman Gumbo.
Strangely, Mutasa has never won a game against FC Platinum at Mandava since his departure from Zvishavane over a decade ago.
He returns to the mining town tomorrow, hoping to break that jinx with Premiership debutants MWOS, who are surprise log leaders after three rounds into the season.
But, Mutasa is aware FC Platinum have moved mountains since he left them. They won four straight league championships in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021/2022.
There was no Premiership action in 2020 due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
“FC Platinum have done quite well after me. They won four titles soon after my departure and it’s now 10 years or so since I left.
“They still have Norman Mapeza who replaced me, so they have been consistent.
“But I would want to appreciate them for giving me the opportunity to coach football. I think FC Platinum treated me so well and I have much respect for the institution,” said Mutasa.
He is relishing another visit to Mandava.
“It’s going to be nice to go back to Mandava Stadium, but now I am in another colour fighting in another corner.”
MWOS are two points ahead of FC Platinum going into Match-Day Four but they face a daunting task at Mandava, which has been turned into a fortress by Mapeza.
FC Platinum lost twice in 17 league matches at Mandava last season.
“Obviously as a coach I have been back at Mandava on a few occasions.
“I came back with Whawha and we lost, I came back with Dynamos and we lost again. The last time I was at Mandava I was with TelOne and we drew.
“Now I am with MWOS and obviously looking for a result that I didn’t achieve from the previous visits.
“It would be nice if we come out tops, but it’s going to be a tough match, every match in the Premier League is tough.
“Moreover, we are playing against former champions, at their home ground,” said Mutasa.
The seasoned gaffer acknowledges his side will be the underdogs going into this match but he insists his boys will fight until the last drop of blood.
He thinks their performance in their opening three matches of the season will motivate them.
They beat Highlanders 1-0 on their debut PSL match at Baobab, before drawing 1-1 against Bikita Minerals at Sakubva.
The Punters edged Yadah 2-0 at Baobab on Match-Day Three.
“We are obviously the minnows but what we have done gives us the confidence to push forward.
“We are really looking forward to this match. We are going to put up a fight, like we have done before.”
MWOS welcome back experienced central midfielder Gift Saunyama, who was out through injury.
But the Norton-based side will be without the combative Tinotenda “Dhiziri” Mutyambizi, who is serving a suspension.
Attacking midfielder Tyronne Matongorere is also out through injury.
However, Mutasa can still look up to exciting midfielder Malvern “Majabvi” Mudzuka and striker Salif Cheya, who scored the solitary goal against Highlanders.
Mudzuka, the slim and tall former Black Rhinos star, has won the hearts of many so far.
But, Mutasa wants his boys to keep their feet on the ground and remain focused.
“Getting seven points out of nine, on our debut season, I think it’s a great start.
“I cannot ask for more.
“It’s a good start for the boys.”
With seven points from a possible nine, Mutasa has a 78 percent success rate.
