Moment of truth for FC Platinum

A win for the cash rich Zvishavane side will guarantee them the league title but a loss or draw will leave the title to be decided on the last day of play when FC Platinum take on fire Shooting Stars while Dynamos entertain already relegated Kiglon.

Certainly FC Platinum does not want matters to go that far and assistant coach Tendai Chikuni says they are ready for De Mbare.

“‘This is the biggest game of our lives. We have prepared fully for the match, and our aim is nothing but a win. I have this feeling that we will win the game,” said Chikuni.

Never since Black Rhinos in 1985 has a team come straight from the first division and won the league title and FC Platinum want to emulate that Chipembere achievement. There is a similarity between Rhinos and FC Platinum in the fact that Rhinos won their title with a collection of stars from Dynamos and CAPS United and FC Platinum spent heavily on the market to lure stars from various clubs among them Dynamos, Motor Action, and Highlanders.

Sadly though Black Rhinos are languishing in the northern region division one with no hope of promotion but they are watching proceedings at Mandava Stadium with bated breath.

For FC Platinum Charles Sibanda is on roll and in sparkling form after missing four matches through suspension. Against Monomotapa in midweek, he was a ball of fire igniting attacks whenever in possession and with the support of Beki Ncube and Menard Mupera in midfield, FC Platinum could prove a handful for De Mbare.

FC Platinum has 55 points while Dynamos are on 52 points with two matches left before the curtain comes down on the 2011 soccer season. But FC Platinum despite all the money they have spent should be wary of Dynamos.

The popular Harare club is very dangerous when in such position and have the edge of having beaten FC Platinum in both the league and the Mbada Holdings semi finals. Although on paper FC Platinum appear to have classy players, Dynamos have the hard workers that can make a difference.

A team with the likes of Cuthbert Malajila, Archieford Gutu, Denver Mukamba and the country’s leading goalscorer Roderick Mutuma cannot be described as average.

Coach Calisto Pasuwa was straight to the point. ‘We would not have been playing at all if we did not want to win. We need the three points and that is exactly what we are going for,’ said Pasuwa who took over from long term friend Lloyd Mutasa as Dynamos coach.

Although FC Platinum are playing at their familiar Mandava Stadium home, Dynamos are never away in any stadium in Zimbabwe as they enjoy massive popularity wherever they play. It is a fact that the stadium will be full of De Mbare supporters and that will be the added advantage that Dynamos will have.

It is a game that everyone has been waiting for and all roads Sunday will certainly be leading to Mandava Stadium and let the better team win.