ZVISHAVANE-BASED Premier Soccer League side FC Platinum are ready for the 2014 season, with head Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa saying new acquisitions for the season are fast adapting to his style of play. FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
FC Platinum played two friendly matches on Wednesday beating PSL returnees Chapungu in both matches at Ascot Stadium.
Former Shabanie Mine striker Tarisai Rukanda grabbed a hattrick in the first match they won 3-2 while former Highlanders forward Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube notched a brace in the second match they won 2-1.
Ncube was on target when they beat PSL newcomers ZPC Kariba 1-0 when they were in a training camp in the resort town a few weeks ago and also scored in a 1-1 draw against Southern Region Division One side Bantu Rovers at Mandava last week.
“It is coming up bit by bit. What we have been doing is having the majority of our players taking part in these friendly matches and playing 90 minutes. So far it has been good. There has been unity of purpose within the set-up and this year we want to surpass the targets that we set last year,” Mutasa said.
FC Platinum, who lost Charles Sibanda, Joel Ngodzo and Welcome Ndiweni to Highlanders, grabbed Rukanda and Ncube from Shabanie and Highlanders respectively.
They also added Gift Bello from Dynamos, free-scoring Stephen Sibanda from Buffaloes, Walter Musona from Aces Academy and James Marufu from DC Academy.
From their junior ranks, FC Platinum have added goalkeeper Godfrey Chisango, Emmaculate Maune and Livingstone Genti.
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“The new senior players are strongly coming up and we are still trying new combinations. We have a squad that is ready to compete and as we play our friendly matches, we will use all the players at our disposal,” Mutasa said.
Tomorrow, they host Triangle in another friendly match at Mandava.
