Chitembwe plots to spoil Platinum party

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe has revealed that he is plotting to  derail FC Platinum’s coronation as league champions at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.

With a massive 67 points, 11 more than closest challengers Dynamos, with only four matches left before the end of the season, the Zvishavane-based side needs only a draw against Caps United to lift the league title for the fourth successive season.

Norman Mapeza’s men though could even be crowned champions of Zimbabwean football before their clash with Caps United in the event that Chicken Inn and Dynamos fail to win their respective matches today and tomorrow.

Chicken Inn, in third place with 55 points, travel to Harare for a date with unpredictable Herentals today and a draw will take their points tally to 56 and even if they win their remaining three matches, it can only take their points tally to 65, while Dynamos who will be away to Bulawayo City tomorrow will take their points tally to 66 which will not be enough to dislodge FC Platinum from the top of the table.

Nevertheless, Chitembwe,  while acknowledging FC Platinum have had an impressive season, he believes they stand a good chance to win the contest.

He said their recent performances which have seen them defeat Triangle 2-1 in Harare before edging Cranborne Bullets 1-0 at Vhengere Stadium in the last two matches is giving them grounds for optimism.

While FC Platinum have earned reputation as the league’s most offensive side, thriving on phased build-up play, Caps United also play attacking football.

“Our meetings with them (FC Platinum) have always been very interesting. Their play  is almost the same as ours. They have had a very good season. They had good fortunes,  the opposite of ourselves. But we also have had some good results in the last two games. It gives us a good feel and the belief that we can go out there and win. So we are looking to the match on Sunday with a lot of optimism,” Chitembwe said after the team’s training session in Harare yesterday.

FC Platinum have gone on a 17-match unbeaten run and are looking to maintain a perfect record until the end of the campaign. They are also working to avoid dropping points as they seek to emulate Caps United who managed 79 points in 2004 —  a record in the modern era of the premiership. The champions-in-waiting are also buoyed by the 3-0 defeat they inflicted on Caps United in the reverse fixture at Mandava earlier this year.

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