The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
PREMIERSHIP champions FC Platinum are not relenting in their quest for a fourth title.
Although the league is on a break owing to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, FC Platinum have been quietly continuing with their youth revolution.
It has emerged that the Zvishavane miners have set their sights on signing exciting teenage forward Shelton Mabanyika, who is currently plying his trade in the ZIFA Central Region Division One League.
Mabanyika is on the books of Paramount.
The 18-year-old striker is originally from Gokwe and is eager to walk the same path as former Warriors goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro, who was plucked from obscurity to the top-flight.
Murambadoro played for CAPS United before his playing career took him to Belgium via Israel and ended in South Africa.
Club sources indicated that FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has requested to have a look at the player when he returns from Cameroon, where he has been with the Warriors on national duty.
Mapeza has this year embarked on a revolution that places more emphasis on young players at the three-time Zimbabwe football kings.
The former Zimbabwe skipper has so far promoted Peace Chivhunduko, Oscar Bhebhe, Thubelihle Ngwenya, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Kelvin Mangiza and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya to the senior team.
He also signed a young forward, Abubakar Temitope Onifade, from Nigeria.
Mabanyika, who is on loan at Paramount from Chipaz Soccer Academy in Gokwe, reportedly caught the attention of scouts after just three games in the second-tier league.
Interestingly, he scored the only goal of the game last weekend when his team edged FC Platinum Under-19.
Despite FC Platinum leading the race to secure the teenager, his parent club Chipaz Soccer Academy continue to be inundated with inquires for the rising star.
“He is a good player and we are not surprised about the inquiries we are receiving for his services,” said Chipaz director Mzondani Chipanga.
“There are a lot of clubs that have inquired about his services …
“We will not stand in the way of our players and we will listen to offers, but for now we want to choose what is best for the player.
“We loaned him to Paramount so that he gets game time and we are happy he is doing very well there, and we are determined to see his progression.”
