IN the heart of the local football landscape, an intriguing narrative unfolds this afternoon at Mandava Stadium.
It’s a tale of two contrasting yet equally compelling forces — FC Platinum, the perennial powerhouse with an unbeaten streak stretching across half a season and Simba Bhora, the defending champions who, after a sluggish start, are now roaring with the confidence of a team finding its championship rhythm.
At the epicentre of this high-stakes encounter is Joel Luphahla, the Simba Bhora coach, whose audacious goal is to do what no other team has managed so far — to break FC Platinum’s unblemished record.
The Zvishavane side has managed to navigate the first half of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season without tasting a defeat.
Their fixture against Dynamos last week ended in controversy, abandoned after a disputed penalty award, but the expectation is that they will be granted the points, drawing them within eight points of league leaders Simba Bhora.
For Luphahla, maintaining that distance is key and he believes his squad is well-positioned to halt FC Platinum’s run of 12 draws and four wins.
“We are going there and hoping that these boys will continue doing what they have been doing in recent weeks,” Luphahla stated, his voice laced with quiet determination.
There is a gleam in his eyes when he speaks about his team’s recent form — a six-match unbeaten streak featuring five wins, including three consecutive victories.
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“It would be nice also to have all the teams, where there is an L [referring to the ‘Lost’ column on the log table] besides their name. All the teams must have lost a game.”
It’s a clear declaration of intent.
Simba Bhora are not just looking for a win, they are looking to put a marker on the title race and prove that even the most resilient walls can be breached.
For Luphahla, the journey this season has been one of resurgence.
After a less-than-stellar start, he has instilled a renewed sense of purpose in his squad.
“We are the defending champions and we need to show that,” he emphasised.
“It’s not easy, I know, but at the end of the day, we have to make sure that whatever we do, we resemble the defending champions.”
The burden of defending a league title is immense, a pressure Luphahla openly acknowledged.
“The work that we put in is double, compared to other teams, times three of how the other teams work, because when you are the defending champions, there is always pressure,” he said.
“The scrutiny is also too much on us (the technical team), but we are trying to handle that pressure.
“We are trying to make sure that the pressure does not also rub onto the players. They must always see that we are relaxed, they must always see that we are happy.”
This calm, confident demeanour is precisely what he hopes his players will carry onto the pitch.
The respect between the two dugouts is palpable.
Luphahla offered high praise for FC Platinum, describing them as “a good, well-oiled team, also well-coached by a senior coach”.
He knows the challenge ahead is formidable.
“We play away from home. I think they are not going to make it easy for us. Also, when they look at what we have been doing, I think they will try and make sure that they put a stop.”
On the other side, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza is equally aware of the threat Simba Bhora pose.
“It’s not going to be an easy game for us. They have been one of the best teams so far this season... If you look at their performances, whether they are playing at home or playing away, they have been playing some brilliant football,” Mapeza acknowledged.
“They have got so much quality in their team and I think Joel has done very well and you can tell that now there is an understanding between him and the players.
“That’s why they are getting those massive results, either at home or away, so it is not going to be an easy game.”
Mapeza, despite the praise for his opponents, is focused on leveraging his team’s home advantage.
“We are playing at home. We need to maximise our home advantage and see what happens, but it’s not going to be easy, a hell of a difficult game.”
FC Platinum’s quest to maintain their unbeaten record will be complicated by the absence of key midfielders Brian Banda and Divine Mhindirira, both sidelined with injuries.
However, they receive a boost with the return of defender Misheck Ngwenya, who missed last week’s game through suspension.
The reverse fixture on matchday one ended in a goalless stalemate, a hint that this one could be another closely contested battle.
Today, however, there’s more than just points at stake.
It’s about momentum and the very fabric of an unbeaten run.
Will Simba Bhora be the team to finally leave an “L” beside FC Platinum’s name, or will the Pure Platinum Play continue their seemingly invincible march?
All eyes turn to Mandava for what promises to be a blockbuster encounter.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matchday 18 fixtures
Today: TelOne v Herentals (Ascot), Zpc Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Simba Bhora (Mandava), Yadah v Manica Diamonds (Heart), Bikita Minerals v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Kwekwe United (Baobab)
Tomorrow: Highlanders v MWOS (Barbourfields), Caps United v GreenFuel (Rufaro), Triangle v Scottland (Gibbo)
