Charles Sibanda
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League title hopefuls FC Platinum resumed training yesterday, with club spokesperson Chido Chizondo saying they were ready for the remaining two games of the campaign after recharging their batteries.
FC Platinum are second on the league table with 55 points, two behind leaders Caps United, and need nothing other than a victory when they take on Highlanders at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane on Sunday to keep their title hopes alive.
The platinum miners won the reverse fixture at Barbourfields Stadium, beating Bosso 2-1, and will be aiming to complete a double over a side that also fancies its faint championship hopes.
FC Platinum go into Sunday’s game smarting from a 1-3 loss to Ngezi Platinum Stars in the final of the Chibuku Super Cup, a result which Chizondo said was now water under the bridge.
She downplayed the championship fight, saying they don’t want to put pressure on their players.
Besides recharging, FC Platinum also hope midfielder Winston Mhango and striker Charles Sibanda, who missed the final against Ngezi Platinum due to injuries sustained in a road accident, will return for Sunday’s clash.
The platinum miners clearly missed Mhango’s grit in midfield against Ngezi Platinum as well as Sibanda’s mazy runs and his goal poaching prowess in the Chibuku Super Cup final.
Chizondo said Mhango and Sibanda did light training last week.
“It depends on what the physiotherapist says about their recovery, but they were progressing well. Obviously we would love to have them back but it all depends on the physiotherapist’s recommendations after today’s training,” she said.
While FC Platinum’s preparations for the Highlanders encounter look set to be boosted by Mhango and Sibanda’s return, their opponents’ problems seem to be piling.
Speedy forward Gabriel Nyoni picked up a hamstring injury in a friendly against Chicken Inn last Saturday, leaving Bosso with very few options since another striker Nhlanhla Ndlovu is already on the casualty list.
Besides the playing personnel, Bosso’s boardroom has also been destabilised by Zifa’s move to immediately suspend the club’s chairman Peter Dube and chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede.
Highlanders’ hopes for the trip to Zvishavane will be pinned on Erick Mudzingwa, Simon Munawa, Peter Muduhwa, Tendai Ndlovu, Rahman Kutsanzira, Prince Dube and veteran forward Ralph Matema.
They, however, have to shut out FC Platinum’s Moyo twins Kevin and Elvis, ex-Bosso midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku, wingers Walter Musona and Marshal Mudehwe as well as Rodwell Chinyengetere to put a smile on their fans’ faces.
PSL Fixtures
Saturday, November 19: Tsholotsho FC v Bulawayo City (Luveve, 3 PM, SuperSport), Mutare City v Harare City (Sakubva), ZPC Kariba v How Mine (Nyamhunga)
Sunday, November 20: FC Platinum v Highlanders (Mandava, 3PM, SuperSport), Hwange v Chapungu (Colliery), Caps United v Ngezi Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Triangle United v Dynamos (Gibbo), Chicken Inn v Border Strikers (Luveve)
Table
P W D L F A GD Pts
Caps United 28 16 9 3 40 21 19 57
FC Platinum 28 15 10 3 32 15 17 55
Highlanders 28 16 5 7 38 21 17 53
Dynamos 28 11 10 7 26 21 5 43
Chicken Inn 28 11 8 9 27 18 9 41
ZPC Kariba 28 10 11 7 22 21 1 41
Harare City 28 11 5 12 30 25 5 38
Ngezi Platinum 28 10 8 10 27 26 1 38
Bulawayo City 28 10 8 10 25 25 0 38
How Mine 28 8 11 9 26 25 1 35
Triangle United 28 9 8 11 25 31 -6 35
Hwange 28 9 8 11 24 32 -8 35
Chapungu 28 7 10 11 22 26 -4 31
Tsholotsho FC 28 7 5 16 22 33 -11 26
*Mutare City 28 7 7 14 22 39 -17 25
Border Strikers 28 4 3 21 10 39 -29 15
*Three points deducted for use of a suspended player
@ZililoR.