FC Platinum’s ascent to the top has been buoyed by a fat bank account, from which they stripped several clubs of their prized assets. Only the sky seems to be the limit for the cash-rich Platinum, who took their spending habits to dizzy heights by offering a winning bonus of US$1 500 per player to smash DeMbare — their opponents, who have a poor bank account but bank on a rich football history.
The platinum miners are on the brink of making history — by becoming the first team from outside Harare and Bulawayo to win the premiership just by beating Dynamos today.
The win will catapult the miners to their first silverware with a six points lead over Dynamos. A win by Dynamos will mean that the two sides will be level on 55 points from 29 matches, but would propel the Glamour Boys to the top pack on a superior goal difference.
And DeMbare will need again to beat Kiglon to land the domestic football’s biggest prize hoping that FC Platinum lose three points to Shooting Stars or draw.
The FC Platinum versus Dynamos match is one of the most nerve-wracking encounters as neither one of the teams can afford to slip up. It will be particularly painful for the moneybags as they can wrap up the league title today with a win while the reverse for DeMbare mean they will fight until the last round of matches.
Guns will be blazing this afternoon and snipers from both sides would have to be at their best. DeMbare have enough arsenal in Cuthbert Malajila, who has been handed the captain’s armband in the absence of George Magariro who is out with a knee injury.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The Glamour Boys’ have another bag of snakes in Denver Mukamba and Rodreck Mutuma. The FC Platinum dressing room oozes with talent but Benjamin Marere, who scored in the team’s last league match has a big role to play today. Reigning Soccer Star of the Year Charles Sibanda can also be a handful.However, FC Platinum secretary Phillimon Muvengwa said money was not the biggest motivation for the platinum miners.
“We are the log leaders and that is the biggest motivation for us and we do not want to lose the match. We are also at home, which also motivates us. Dynamos is the team which is behind us with three points, therefore they are the ones under pressure,” Muvengwa said.
Keni Mubaiwa, the Dynamos chairman admitted that his club could not match the greenbacks being flashed by their opponents. “Vane bag (there have loads of cash). We have told the boys what it means to wear the Dynamos jersey and its tradition and this will carry us to victory. We do not have the money to match what FC Platinum are giving their players. We are struggling to peg winning salaries even at US$200 winning bonus,” Mubaiwa said.
