Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FC PLATINUM forward, Jarison Selemani, says one goal changed everything.
His thunderbolt against champions Scottland became the moment he knew he belonged among the country’s best footballers.
Coming off the bench in that tense fixture, Selemani picked up a loose ball on the left, cut inside, and fired a rocket past Scottland’s keeper Nelson Chadya in a 1-1 draw at Rufaro.
That strike, he says, transformed his entire season.
“The turning point for me was the game against Scottland in Harare,” Selemani said.
“I came on as a sub and scored a brilliant goal. That gave me immense confidence because we were playing against top players.
“To shine in that game was really a good thing for me.”
From that day, he never looked back.
The 25-year-old went on to score seven goals and supply eight assists in one of his best seasons yet, becoming a strong contender for the Soccer Star of the Year finalists list.
Selemani credits his teammates and coaches for standing by him when form dipped and pressure mounted.
“The team helped me a lot. Sometimes things won’t go as planned, but with the technical staff we have, they kept on believing in me,” he said.
“They gave me all the necessary support I needed to continue doing good in each and every match.”
But the journey wasn’t all smooth.
The death of teammate Brian Banda in a car accident cast a dark shadow over their campaign.
“The biggest obstacle we faced was the loss of our brother, Brian Banda. It was difficult to accept, even now we still miss him on and off the field,” Selemani said.
“He was key in our team, so to adapt without him was a challenge, but we tried to push.”
Selemani also paid tribute to coach Norman Mapeza, describing him as a guiding hand who sharpened both his mindset and technical edge.
“He knew what I am capable of and emphasises working hard always. He keeps on encouraging me that practice makes perfect,” said Selemani.
“He has helped me in many ways, for example, perfecting my technique, being effective with the ball, maintaining discipline, and helping the team to achieve goals.”
