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Tonderai Ndiraya

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HISTORY might not favour FC Platinum in their rivalry with Dynamos, but the platinum miners should fancy their chances this afternoon when they host the defending champions in a top-of-the-table Premiership clash at Mandava this afternoon.

Norman Mapeza’s men have suffered at the hands of their experienced opponents since 2011 when they gained promotion.

However, the clash comes at a time when the home team are enjoying an upswing in form which has seen them rising from the bottom half of the table into third place where they are now only a point behind Dynamos.

DeMbare are second in the race behind Chicken Inn, who will be looking to reinforce their grip when they host Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba at Luveve this afternoon.

FC Platinum have a huge incentive in that a win will see them swapping places with Dynamos and this could be the tonic they need to maintain momentum in the run to the championship title.

Following a good run of 12 games without a loss, FC Platinum have now established themselves as the dark horses in the campaign. But Mapeza will not want to be carried away. He knows the strength of his opponents and would rather take each game as it comes in the championship home stretch.

“All games are crucial because at the end of the day what is needed is a positive result. So our supporters should come in numbers and give the guys the morale support that they need.

“We are playing the defending champions. They are a good team so we know what to expect. We hope to play well and post a positive result.

“There are still eight more games to be played after this. So the championship is still far from being decided,” said Mapeza.

The platinum miners are looking to have all their players available, including the in-form striker Brian Muzondiwa.

The only concern was on the availability of injured goalkeeper Petros Mhari and striker Tarisai Rukanda, who were expected to take a fitness test.

However, the team spirit in the camp is high especially after the 1-0 win over early pace-setters Triangle in their last match away at Gibbo.

The home supporters can only have a positive feeling today. Dynamos have also had a morale-boosting result in their last match after beating How Mine 1-0 courtesy of Ronald Chitiyo’s late strike.

They have not lost a match in the last 13 starts and their coach Tonderai Ndiraya said he is looking to maintain their dominance in the rivalry between the sides.

Ndiraya reckons it will not be easy to collect maximum points away at FC Platinum.

“I think these are two teams that have been on top form of late. It’s quite interesting that FC Platinum last lost a match when we played them at Rufaro.

“It’s going to be quite interesting and we will see what will happen. It’s a top-of-the-table clash and we expect a very competitive match between the two teams. I hope the fans will have an exciting afternoon.

“What is important at this stage of the season is to collect as many points as possible. It’s quite difficult to play away from home and get maximum points but we have done quite well in recent matches, we have managed to collect some maximum points and that has really brought confidence to the team.

“Hopefully, we will go there, work hard and collect maximum points. But like I said, it’s difficult away from home but we have done so in the past games and we are looking to do more of that again in the coming matches and the game against FC Platinum is no different,” said Ndiraya.

A lot should have been going on in Ndiraya’s head following an injury plague that has left his defence line depleted.

Their captain Augustine Mbara, goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi and defender Kudzanayi Nyakasaka have been ruled out while there were worries over the fitness of Sydney Linyama.

Fullback Ocean Mushure will miss the match serving suspension.

“I think what is important is for us is to try and be positive and try to work hard as a team. Those who are going to be called to do duty should do it diligently.

“I’m quite confident that the players we have will do an equally good job.

“So it’s not a crisis as some people might want to put it. We have been very consistent, especially in that department, and probably there are one or two changes but the rest of the guys who have been playing some matches before are there.

“I think about 90 percent of the members of that department are there. So, we have nothing to worry about. Hopefully, we will come right at Mandava,” said Ndiraya.