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Paul Mundandi Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP log leaders FC Platinum insist they are not feeling the heat of being at the summit of the elite the elite league and will not exert themselves under any pressure in their remaining games.

FC Platinum will travel to Nyamhunga on Saturday to face resurgent ZPC Kariba seeking to maintain their three-point advantage over second-placed Caps United.

Caps United are not in action until a day later when they also make the long trip to Chiredzi to face Triangle at Gibbo.

While much of the attention has been focused on the FC Platinum against Caps United title chase, ZPC Kariba who have shrugged off a mid-season slump have forced themselves back into the reckoning.

ZPC Kariba are now fourth with 34 points and nine behind FC Platinum.

But with 27 points still to play for, it remains an open race in the championship dogfight and FC Platinum know they would have to beat their closest rivals in order to sit more comfortably at the top.

The platinum miners’ spokesperson Chido Chizondo yesterday said although they were aware of the ZPC revival story, they were not exerting themselves under any pressure.

Chizondo said they would not read much into the ZPC Kariba statics.

ZPC have collected 10 points from their last five games including three consecutive wins in their last three assignments.

The electricity men also have a very experienced coach on their technical bench with Sunday Chidzambwa directing operations.

Chizondo, however, said they would not lose focus by paying attention to what other teams in the league are doing.

“Our team is not under any pressure and we will play our games as we have done in the past. We take each game as it comes and our hope is to collect maximum points

“We are not taking ZPC for granted. They are a very good side with experienced players but we hope that we will leave Nyamhunga with smiles on our faces,” said Chido Chizondo.

Despite being held 1-1 by Chicken Inn last weekend to lose their five-point advantage, FC Platinum remain among favourites to clinch the league title.

Although Chizondo played down talk of pressure, the Zvishavane outfit must be wondering what has happened to their strike force.

Their attack has of late been the side’s Achilles Heel with new acquisitions Makai “Jecha’’ Kawashu and Charles Sibanda still to score since arriving at the start of last month.

Their play at home has been disappointing as they have been held to disappointing draws by lowly Mutare City, Hwange, Caps United and Chicken Inn in the matches they could have easily won.

Their strikers have been firing blanks as Charles Sibanda and Makai Kawashu are still to score since joining the Zvishavane-based side this season.

As a result of their sterile attack, FC Platinum have now dropped 15 crucial points from their home games.

Another striker Brian Muzondiwa, whom FC Platinum used to rely on for goals, has also struggled for precision, managing just one goal since his return from injury.

In fact since the departure of Zambian Obrey Chirwa who moved to Tanzania, FC Platinum have not found a regular goal scorer.

While their attack might have come in for some flak for being sterile, FC Platinum have been solid in defence and midfield with former Dynamos man Gift Bello playing some fine football in the heart of the rearguard.

FC Platinum who last season won 3-0 at Nyamhunga in the corresponding fixture will on Saturday be looking to have a repeat of that show and stem ZPC Kariba’s revival.

Just like their opponents Chidzambwa’s men have also notoriously been wasteful in front of goal.