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“We are taking the game seriously as we want to stay focused on the championship. We lost our last match to Caps United and we never rested when the national team was playing,” said Tendai Chikuni who is in charge of the team as Rahman Gumbo is away with the Warriors.

It will be Chikuni’s third game in charge after guiding the side  to their first silverware since gaining promotion.

FC Platinum beat Hwange 2-0 to lift the Bob 88 Super Cup. He was then to take charge of the side during a match pitting the Zvishavane side with Chicken Inn and he managed to salvage a draw with a late strike from Joel Ngodzo who curled in a beauty past Njabulo Nyoni.

Last season when Gumbo was attending a funeral, Chikuni took control of the Zvishavane derby Part Two and guided FC Platinum to victory.

The Mutare-born coach joined Gumbo in Malawi and since then, the two have not separated.

On Saturday FC Platinum fans want maximum points against a team which is on 14th position with only four points   from nine matches. Quelaton coach Farai Sibanda has a tall order as his team is fighting relegation with FC Platinum hoping to collect maximum points as they try to stay within Highlanders’ reach.

It will be difficult for the Bulawayo side to collect maximum points from Mandava as only two teams — Highlanders and champions Dynamos have managed to do so.

Only nine goals have been scored at Mandava Stadium since last season and it will not be a stroll in the park for the league debutants.

Defender Norman Togara with four goals to his credit will not be part of the proceedings after earning a red card in the match against Caps United.

Daniel Vheremu who is the backbone of FC Platinum defence will lead the team and will be assisted by Zephaniah Ngodzo, Qadr Amin and enterprising Simon Shoko in defence.

“I am happy with the response from my players and the morale in the camp is very high as they are competing for positions.

“We want to get back to our winning ways following our defeat at the hands of Caps United but I will not undermine Quelaton, we will give them the respect they deserve but my players have to remain focused and do the job,” said Chikuni.