Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WINS continued to elude Castle Lager Premier Soccer League popular Southern Region-based teams, Highlanders, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn after the three posted draws at the weekend in Round Five of the Castle Lager Premiership.
It was yet another frustrating chapter for the southern trio, as hopes of resurgence remained just that — hopes.
Chicken Inn were held to a goalless stalemate by Herentals at Luveve Stadium, while FC Platinum also played to a dull 0-0 draw away at Gweru’s Bata Stadium against league returnees Kwekwe United. Highlanders, meanwhile, had to dig deep to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw at Triangle United.
For FC Platinum, it marked their fourth draw in five outings — an unconvincing run that has left the four-time champions with a modest return of seven points from a possible 15. It was another performance lacking the bite and conviction expected from Norman Mapeza’s men, who once again failed to convert chances into goals.
Clearly irritated, Mapeza was reportedly “breathing fire and brimstone” over his players’ poor decision-making in the final third — a department that has seen them fire blanks in three matches already this season.
Highlanders, too, remain in stuttering form. The Bulawayo giants find themselves languishing in ninth place, having collected just six points from five matches. Against Triangle United at Gibbo Stadium, Bosso trailed early on but were rescued by a composed equaliser from the ever-reliable Mason Mushore, who continues to be a bright spark in their misfiring campaign.
It was Bosso’s third draw of the season, alongside one win and one defeat — a sequence that translates to an uninspiring 40 percent success rate.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done, especially in terms of the way we defend,” said Bosso head coach Kelvin Kaindu, visibly frustrated after his side allowed Triangle, bottom of the table before the match, to pick up their very first point of the season.
For Chicken Inn, the picture looks even bleaker. The Gamecocks, known for their grit and competitiveness, are enduring a barren spell — both in front of goal and in the points tally. Sunday’s stalemate was their fourth draw in five matches. They have scored just once all season and now sit a lowly 15th on the table with only four points to their name.
Veteran gaffer Joey Antipas, though calm in tone, could not mask his disappointment after the match.
“It’s sad that we are not scoring. In some games we have been creating chances but in this one, we were very poor.
We didn’t come to the party,” said Antipas. “In football, sometimes you need luck but you need to work to get that luck.”
As Southern Region giants struggle, former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars are making a strong early-season statement. Their 2-1 victory over CAPS United propelled them to the top of the log with 13 points, two clear of surprise package MWOS, who continue to impress in their debut campaign.
Scottland FC, riding a wave of flamboyance and attacking flair, are tied on 10 points with fourth-placed Manica Diamonds after a convincing 3-0 thumping of Bikita Minerals. Greenfuel and Simba Bhora, both on eight points, are separated only by goal difference.
