FC Platinum: No goals, no glory

THERE is a certain manner of doing business in the Caf Champions League that FC Platinum have clearly not acclimatised to — the art of scoring goals. While the preliminary and first round phases were somewhat kind to their sterility in front of goal, it has been a totally different ball game altogether in the group stages. With their slender one goal margins in the opening two rounds having been just enough to secure them passage to the next segment, they are now grappling with the brutality of the reality of the mini-league.

Subsequently, their blunt attack has condemned and consigned them to bottom of their Group B pile at the halfway stage and it is already looking ominous for them.

In three attempts they are yet to find the target. Toothless and misfiring, they have so far endured a barren 270 minutes of action.

From an encouraging opening goalless stalemate against former powerhouse Orlando Pirates, the Zimbabwe soccer champions have now stuttered to two successive defeats without hitting the mark.

In retrospection and by way of comparative analysis, the last side to partake in this competition other than FC Platinum are CAPS United; where the Green Machine had fared much better than the miners at this stage of the competition in 2017. Makekepe had by now picked three points in three games courtesy of a 2-1 home victory over USM Alger despite having suffered two losses against Zamalek (2-0) and Al Ahli Tripoli (2-4), scoring four and conceding seven.

But where have Pure Platinum Play been poor?

Some analysts have attributed their patchy performances to lacking attacking guts, playing in a naive way mirroring their novice status at this point of the tournament. Yet it is imperative that they start grinding out positive results, but that can only happen after they find a formula to start scoring goals. And begin collecting points.

Because they have not been as bad, however, on the other end of the field where their defence has somewhat stood relatively resolute. It is, therefore, that right balance between scoring and conceding which they crucially need to strike.

For goals win them games and won games earn them points.

Goals will certainly give them a glow. And without the goals there can never be any glory.

Perhaps the two-time Premiership title holders are reeling from the departure of talisman Rodwell Chinyengetere who spearheaded their attack and always carried a goal threat before joining Baroka FC of South Africa. Besides the reigning Soccer Star of the Year, coach Norman Mapeza’s only other sources of goals in the competition’s seven games so far have been William Stima and Farai Madhanhanga, each providing a solitary strike. With their goal of continued participation in the competition now hanging by the thread, FC Platinum should muster a perfect response in order to salvage something out of their seemingly doomed campaign.

Only goals can do the trick and carry the day.

If it is about football that you care let’s share the cheer because we are made for the game, mad about the game!

FC Platinum’s Caf Champions League remaining fixtures:

Vs Horoya AC (12 February, Away)

Vs Orlando Pirates (8 March, Away)

Vs Esperance Tunis (16 March, Home)

◆ For interaction send your views, comments and contributions through feedback on WhatsApp or sms to +263 736 036 593 or e-mail: mungazimoffat@gmail.com