HARARE - FC Platinum are on a mission to end Highlanders’ stranglehold on the Zvishavane premiership side when the two table-topping teams clash in a blockbuster Castle Premiership tie Mandava Stadium on Saturday.

The Bulawayo giants visit, who lead table ahead of second-placed Platinum on goal difference, carry a psychological advantage having dominated this fixture in the last two seasons.

Highlanders, who lost the title to Dynamos on goal difference last season, gunned down army side Buffaloes 3-0 at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday while Platinum needed a last minute
winner to beat Tripple B 1-0 at Mandava a day earlier.

“The guys know what is at stake, a task that demands both bravery and hard work which is the reason why they are highly motivated to beat Highlanders at the weekend,” Platinum assistant coach Tendai Chikuni told the Daily News yesterday.

“We are in a good place right now and for us, the most important thing is to collect maximum points in every game we play. Everyone in the team knows what’s expected of them and everyone is geared up to do well.”

Highlanders have lost once so far in the league, a 1-0 home defeat to Motor Action while Platinum were beaten 1-0 by bitter rivals Shabanie Mine earlier in the season.

Chikuni, who deputises Zambian Tenant Chilumba, said Platinum are focused on their goal of winning their maiden league title.

“We have started well and I have been telling them that we need maximum concentration from the first game up to the last match of the season,” said Chikuni.

FIXTURES

Saturday: Chicken Inn v Motor Action (Luveve), Black Mambas v Black Rhinos (Morris Depot), Tripple B v Monomotapa (Dulibadzimu), FC Platinum v Highlanders (Mandava).

Sunday: Shabanie Mine v Harare City (Maglas), How Mine v Buffaloes (Luveve), Triangle v CAPS United (Gibbo), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro). - Blessings Mashaya