Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
FC PLATINUM coach, Norman Mapeza is delighted that his new acquisitions have hit the ground running making an instant impact after securing a 1-0 home victory over Manica Diamonds on Saturday.
The platinum miners needed a Vincent Nyangulu goal two minutes from time to undo the Mutare side, who had repelled everything thrown their way.
What made Saturday’s victory sweet for Mapeza was that two of his new acquisitions Nyangulu and former Hwange winger Claivert Tshuma combined to break the deadlock.
Both players came as second half substitutes and were tasked with bringing a different dimension to the team’s offensive play.
On numerous occasions last season, FC Platinum struggled to break down teams that sat back to defend.
And after the goalless draw in the opening match against Simba Bhora, it looked like a familiar story for FC Platinum.
But Tshuma and Nyangulu showed why Mapeza invested in their services as Tshuma provided a constant threat from wide areas while the Malawian’s aerial presence troubled the Manica Diamonds defence.
Mapeza was particularly happy about how his new signings have brought a breath of fresh air to the squad and how they can vary the team’s attacking options.
“It was a difficult game, we had some good opportunities in the first half,” said Mapeza.
“In the second half we had to dig deep, we had to make those changes at the half time break, we brought in Nyangulu and Claivert Tshuma.
“He (Nyangulu) is a good header of the ball, so we wanted these boys to bring in some crosses. Lucky enough, we got a goal from those crosses. We have shown that we have some depth in the squad.
“If everything is not working we must have Plan B and I think that Plan B worked for us.”
Apart from the duo of Nyangulu and Tshuma, the Zvishavane side added former Sheasham defender, Thubelihle Jubane, Corey Black from Blanket Mine, James Ngulube and Malawian duo of Nickson Nyasulu and Precious Phiri.
Mapeza is not reading much into his side’s opening two matches of the season and insists that there is still a lot of work to do.
“There is a certain level where you expect to be, but of course it’s the second game of the season, we have to keep working hard,” he added.
