The ManicaPost
ESTEEMED followers of the game of football, thank you for finding time for interaction.
FC Platinum face Angolan club Clube Desportivo Primero de Agosto in the preliminary stage of the Caf Champions League, which hurdle they have to clear to progress to the next round.
These are the first step as they set out on the journey to conquer the continent.
If they get past here may face Bidvest Wits of South Africa.
Since the appointment of Norman Mapeza in August 2014, FC Platinum have made some steady progress over the years that culminated in them clinching the biggest prize in domestic football. It has been four years in the making, where it was in the incubator.
This came after 1 203 days in the office and having taken charge of 305 games.
Somewhat going through a cycle and completed the circle this season.
Although it pains, patience ultimately pays as we learned from the Zvishavane miners.
Did not the chick by smashing the egg, but by painstakingly hatching it?
If it were . . .then this would actually be self-actualisation for the club.
In the season they finally came right, they also iced it all up by winning the inaugural Castle Challenge Cup.
They also won the Chibuku Super Cup in 2014 and last season they were losing finalists to fellow platinum miners Ngezi.
“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 with not only in Zimbabwe, but Africa at large. As we celebrate today’s success (winning the championship), 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 . . . 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 footablling 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 . . . We are glad we settled for incremental growth that has eventually rewarded us with this sweetness . . . 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 FC Platinum president George Mawere to The Herald.
