The Sunday Mail
FC PLATINUM are not sparing a penny in their quest for success, while Shabanie Mine have empty coffers but big hearts as the two Zvishavane rivals prepare for the 2017 Premier Soccer League season.
Pure Platinum Play are desperate for a maiden league title and have once again opened the chequebook to sign Brett Amidu, Gift Mbweti, Talent Chawapihwa and Agrippa Murimba to strengthen a team that came second to Caps United last term.
FC Platinum’s new chair, Evans Mutombeni, says the desire to get better is part of his team’s DNA.
“We are always looking at how best we can improve the team and believe that the signings we made will make the team better,” he said.
Norman Mapeza has also beefed up his technical team, personally recommending the capture of Lizwe Sweswe from Tsholotsho.With such resources at his disposal, Mapeza is once again under pressure to deliver the title even though his chairman insists getting that trophy into their cabinet is not a must.
“Like all the other teams we would love to win the title, we play for the title. However, failure to win it does not mean that the coach has failed to deliver. We don’t work like that,” said Mutombeni.
For Shabanie Mine, it’s all about survival.
New coach Taku Shariwa has been hunting for freebies on the market with former Dynamos hardman William Mapfumo his shiniest capture to date.
Shabanie Mine chairman Elias Marufu said, “We are preparing like any other team in the league but what I can say is we are not going to sign any big name players. However, that doesn’t mean we are settling for inferior players. We have confidence in the guys we have and if you watched our match against FC Platinum then you will appreciate we are ready to compete.
“The players appreciate the challenges we face and the good thing is they look at the bigger picture which is their future and know their dreams are safe with us. This season might not bring back the glory days of the likes of Thomas Makwasha and Asani Juma but the most important thing is we are back in the top flight and the challenge now is to stay there.”
