Zvishavane-based side saluted

The Midlands’ super team turned on the style, with the Minister of Defence, Emmerson Mnangagwa, watching from the terraces, to destroy Green Mamba 4-0 and complete a stunning 8-2 aggregate triumph.
Given this was FC Platinum’s maiden adventure into the Champions League, the margin of their triumph caught the eye.
While critics will rush to dismiss the Swazi side as lightweights, they will care to realise that at the weekend, another Swazi team, Royal Leopards, knocked Red Arrows of Dynamos out of the Caf Confederation Cup.
Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede said FC Platinum were impressive.
“I am elated that FC Platinum lived to our expectations,” said Gumede.
“The match was very exciting and one would not be surprised if FC Platinum make it to the final.”
Even their neighbours, Shabanie Mine, were impressed.
“It was a good game but the players need to be physically fit, especially in the next matches, but overally I am happy” said Shabanie FC patron Greg Mataka.
FC Platinum president Nathan Shoko has seen his team deliver everything he has demanded in recent weeks.
He demanded a victory in Swaziland  and the boys duly delivered with a comprehensive victory where, inspired by Donald “Dombo” Ngoma, they ran riot in the         first half to lead 3-0 but settling for a 4-2 victory.
Ngoma was unavailable for the home game at Mandava on Saturday because of injury but the team still responded and they led 4-0 at the break.
Shoko also demanded that his team should win the Bob ’88 Super Cup, because of the national significance of winning the trophy dedicated to the country’s leader, and his boys responded accordingly and they coasted to a 2-0 win over Hwange.
On Saturday, Shoko watched as his boys turned on the power again.
FC Platinum have now scored 10 goals in their three competitive matches this season and conceded only two.
“We are happy with the result and we were vastly superior to Green Mamba,” said Shoko.
“I am excited that we are through to the second round and I am looking forward to playing the Sudanese.”
The PSL board member for development and Gunners’ owner, Cuthbert Chitima, said this was a triumph for Zimbabwe football.
“FC Platinum played very well and I can see them going very far and probably into the mini-league,” said Chitima.
“I am happy that their type of play has changed as they are now playing a passing game and I wish them well.”
Gunners have contributed, in their own way, to strengthening FC Platinum this season by sanctioning the moves by Ali Sadiki, who was again impressive on Saturday, and Qard Amini to join the miners.
The head of delegation for the Swazi team, Phumuza Ntshangase, conceded defeat.
“I saw good football being displayed. We had confidence but FC Platinum were more prepared for us than we thought,” said Ntshangase.
“They played the best football and our boys are just a young squad. I hope that next time we meet the same team again and we will give them good competition.”
It was an historic match on Saturday as it marked the first time a Champions League match had been played outside Harare and Bulawayo.