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Dominic Chungwa

Mukudzei Chingwere Midlands Bureau
FC PLATINUM’s chances of winning the league’s ultimate prize this season comes under severe scrutiny again this afternoon when they host in-form champions CAPS United at Mandava. The Zvishavane miners are in third place with 52 points, a point behind leaders Dynamos.

Norman Mapeza’s men, just like their rivals have struggled to get into second gear and take control of this pulsating league run-in and were held to a draw by a revitalised Yadah Stars in the capital in their last match. But their neighbours Shabanie Mine also held leaders Dynamos to ensure FC Platinum would not really feel the cost of the two points they dropped in Harare.

Now, they face a Green Machine who have been firing on all cylinders recently to even provoke hopes, among some of their fans, that CAPS United can defend their championship. Makepekepe have won five matches on the bounce both in the league and the Chibuku Super Cup and they are, by a considerable country mile, the in-form team in the league.

Their irresistible form has seen them derailing those who are the front-runners to replace them as champions with the trio of Chicken Inn, Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum all being put to the sword. FC Platinum are now the next in line. CAPS United have lost only once in the league to the Zvishavane side since their elevation into the elite division in 2011.

Their only loss came on the 26th of April in 2014 in Mandava. But FC Platinum assistant coach Lizwe Sweswe fancies their chances at home against a team he rates highly.

“At this stage of the season every game is important to everyone, especially those who want the championship. Games at this stage of the season are also very difficult and we need to continue working hard so that we remain in the race. In our last game we dropped two points and in this game we have to collect maximum points, especially when we are playing at our home ground. But playing against a team like CAPS United it is never easy as they are a big team who can rise to the occasion even after a bad spell and that is why they have been having this good run of late. All our players are available for selection and are raring to go for the game against CAPS United tomorrow (today). The good thing is that we will be able to choose the best team available to compete against them,” he said.

Goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, who is yet to concede in all his five league matches, has been their star player. But the form of their offensive players has been a concern as they have failed to score more than one goal a game in their previous six league games.

The champions have hit the target in all their five previous league matches. Dominic Chungwa has been in great form and is gunning for the Golden Boot hoping to follow in the footsteps of his former teammate Leonard Tsipa who won the same award last year.

Nigerian import Aba Chidiebere has also been settling at the Green Machine and played a very key role in the team’s win over Chicken Inn. If CAPS United win this one and the leading sides drop points this weekend, the champions would have announced their arrival in this championship race.