Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza is happy with his team’s performance in their first competitive match of 2023 and is hoping to have a great start to the Premier Soccer League season that kicks off this weekend at various centres.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions made light work of the Chibuku Super Cup champions, Bulawayo Chiefs following a 2-nil victory at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
Goals in each half by Panashe Mutimbanyoka and debutant, Jarison Selemani made the difference as FC Platinum won their fourth consecutive Castle Challenge Cup.
FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza believes the win has given them a launch pad for the season.
Mapeza said, ‘‘The win is massive, it gives us something to work on. You know you always want to start the season with a victory and that is what we had. The team is still lacking the cutting edge and it will come with time, but we have a good start and we need to build upon this.’’
FC Platinum are gunning for a fifth successive league title and will kick off their season with a date against new-boys, Simba Bhora away from home.
It is still yet unclear which venue will host the match as Simba’s home ground Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva is still undergoing renovations, leaving the National Sports Stadium in Harare and Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro Ngezi as the two closest venues for the new outfit.
The Premier Soccer League has approved six venues for use on match-day one but there is a reprieve for other clubs that are still renovating their facilities as they can invite the ground assessors, the First Instance Board once they are done.
