FCP brace for Champs League
FC PLATINUM president George Mawere says the newly-crowned Zimbabwe football kings are aiming to establish themselves as a force to reckon with in Africa as they brace for their second dance in the CAF Champions League tournament next year.
The platinum miners won the championship for the first time on Saturday at Ascot where they managed to shed off the perennial bridesmaid tag with a 2-0 victory over Chapungu and bring the curtain down on this riveting Castle Lager championship race that had to be decided on the last day. Coach Norman Mapeza’s men finished with 72 points, two ahead of nearest rivals Dynamos who also concluded with a win against Chicken Inn at the National Sports Stadium which could have changed the complexion of the log table had the platinum miners failed to collect maximum points against Chapungu in Gweru.
And the Zvishavane-based club president Mawere was over the moon with the accomplishment.
Mawere, who paid tribute to their various sponsors and partners, including their patron President Emmerson Mnangagwa, said FC Platinum are now targeting to spread their brand in Africa.
The platinum miners are yet to make an official statement on their participation in the 2018 Champions League but Mawere gave a big hint at the weekend that Pure Platinum Play will be aiming even higher after breaking the duck on the domestic scene.
“We are most humbled, gratified and overjoyed as the FC Platinum family to have landed Zimbabwe’s most coveted title, the 2017 Castle Premier Soccer League Championship. To our team, our coach, our players, our stakeholders and our supporters, well done!
“At the formation of our club, we were clear that our intention went beyond simply joining the Premier League. Ours was a mission to emerge as a force to reckon not only in Zimbabwe but Africa at large,” said Mawere.
“As we celebrate today’s success, we are mindful that our vision is to be a leading football brand in Africa. This vision is no mean aspiration. It demands from us resources; both material and talent. It calls upon us to search for guidance and support of the nation at large.
“We hope our more experienced brothers who have ventured into this challenging African football Safari will be willing to lend helping hands,” he added.
The club made their debut in the CAF Champions League in 2012 just a year after they had got promotion into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and distinguishing themselves by finishing close runners-up to Dynamos.
However, their maiden Africa campaign was largely unsuccessful due to the apparent lack of experience as they were knocked out in the first round by Sudanese perennial contestants Al-Merreikh on a 5-2 aggregate scoreline.
They also tried their hand in Africa’s second tier Confederation Cup in 2015 after they had won the domestic Chibuku Super Cup the previous season to earn the right to represent Zimbabwe in the tournament. As fate would have it, they again could not go beyond the first round after suffering another 5-2 aggregate defeat to Young Africans of Tanzania.
But the platinum miners had not given up on their dream despite the disappointments. In 2012 they participated as league runners-up after the championship was snatched from under their noses by Dynamos.
FC Platinum, who had been known for stumbling at the crucial points, have been gradually building up to their maiden title after finishing fourth in 2014, third in 2015, second in 2015 and then first in the just-ended season.
Mawere said it was disappointing at times but the patience they had with coach Mapeza after hiring the former national team mentor in 2014 has now paid off. Veterans Ali Sadiki and Rodwell Chinyengetere turned the long-standing dream into reality in the opening 10 minutes of the game against Chapungu on Saturday with a goal each to ensure the title was beyond the reach of second-placed Dynamos who were primed to play the role of party spoilers on the final day. This year’s contest had been narrowed to a two-horse race into the final day and the Harare giants battled to the last minute with a 1-0 win over Chicken Inn at the National Sports Stadium.
“The journey has not been an easy one. Over the years, we have had a fair share of heartaches and some moments to celebrate. We have learnt the virtues of patience and humility.
“Most importantly we have refined our footballing philosophy to go beyond just winning matches but exhibiting an entertaining style that is matched by a caring heart and the highest professional standards.
“Today’s Premier Soccer League title follows a four-year programme we set ourselves as we hired today’s winning head coach, Norman Mapeza. The temptation then was to set demanding targets that aimed at instant results. They say, ‘Patience is bitter but the fruit is sweet’.
“We are glad we settled for incremental growth that has eventually rewarded us with this sweetness while some pundits saw this strategy as an indication that we were a cursed club which enjoyed dancing with failure year in and year out.
“However, patience is not only ability to wait but what you do and how you behave whilst you wait. We remained resolute, disciplined and stuck to our plan.
“And true, for each of the past four years, we have attained our yearly targets. Kudos to the entire team and stakeholders for displaying this rarely found attribute,” said Mawere.