Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE mid-season transfer window has injected fresh hope into several Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs, with former champions FC Platinum believing their latest acquisitions could help revive a faltering campaign.
The four-time league champions have endured a difficult first half of the season and find themselves 19 points behind pace-setters Scottland, having struggled for consistency under coach Joel Luphahla.
In a bid to strengthen the squad, FC Platinum have moved aggressively in the transfer market, bringing in Namibian forward Isaskar Gurirab from Scottland, Zimbabwean winger Mcebisi Moyo from Botswana, and Tanzanian international Baraka Majogoro to bolster their attacking options.
The Zvishavane outfit have also reinforced their defence with the signing of Namibian international Vitapi Ngaruka from reigning Namibian champions African Stars.
Club general manager Collin Nikisi insisted the team’s ambitions remain firmly intact despite a disappointing start to the season.
“Let me reassure our fans and our stakeholders that our ambitions as FC Platinum remain unchanged. We are still determined to compete at the highest level,” he said.
“We want to challenge for the championship. We want to challenge for every trophy that is available. And as a result, we will continue to prioritise our players because we believe they are the first pillar.
“We will prioritise our players and ensure that we retain all the top talent that we have at the club. Yes, in the first half of the season, the results have not been what we had anticipated, but this is football.
“We are confident that coach Joel and the players have what it takes to turn things around in the second half of the season,” said Nikisi.
Luphahla has come under increasing scrutiny as the platinum miners continue to search for consistency. The former Zimbabwe international took over ahead of the 2026 season and embarked on an extensive rebuilding exercise, bringing in nine new players.
However, FC Platinum have slipped to 10th place on the table with 27 points from 21 matches.
But the former Zimbabwe international Luphahla still believes his project will come right.
“Sometimes when results are not going your way, people tend to start to have doubts about the project that we are creating.
“But for us, I think we are creating a monster of a team that’s going to be difficult to play against. I’m sure people who have played versus FC Platinum can attest to that,” he said.
Luphahla believes FC Platinum’s major weakness was the inability to score goals, with the side having a poor return of 14 goals from 21 starts.
He is convinced that the arrival of Gurirab and Moyo could be the answer to his problems.
“Unfortunately, the most important thing in football is that you need to score goals to win. You do not dominate and get three points.
“Instead, you need to score goals, and this has been our biggest weakness from the beginning of the season. We are missing opportunities that were supposed to score with ease.
“So, this is why we went to the market to bring in a proven goal scorer.
“It is with hope that when these players are available, they are going to change the fortunes of this club,” said Luphahla.
FC Platinum are not the only side using the transfer window to strengthen their hand ahead of the title run-in.
Championship contenders, Hardrock have made some of the headline signings of the window, recruiting Prince Dube and Gerald Takwara, while also adding Malawi’s McDonald Rameck and Eswatini internationals Yekisizwe Khumalo and Thubelihle Mavuso.
Traditional giants CAPS United have also reinforced key positions, unveiling goalkeepers Washington Arubi and Victor James of Botswana. The Green Machine also added midfielders Vunga Uchizi and Precious Phiri, while fellow giants Dynamos are on the verge of completing a loan deal with Scottland midfielder Nathan Mutasa.
Scottland have had a solid campaign after taking a comfortable seven-point lead at the top of the log standings, but they still need to consolidate their squad.
They are expected to unveil former Dynamos captain Emmanuel Jalai on loan from South African side Durban City, as well as Nickson Nyasulu, who is crossing the floor from FC Platinum.
Relegation fighters Manica Diamonds, TelOne, Triangle, and AGAMA are also lining up new signings.
