By Obert Sithole
What has made FC Platinum look invincible is the ability to guard their goal as if their life depended on it.
In 2016 their goalkeeper Petros Mhari was voted the Goalkeeper of the Year. however, it’s CAPS United who won the league and their captain Hardlife Zvirekwi was voted the Soccer Star of the Year.
But there was no Tembo Tshuma. Surprisingly it was the unheralded Daniel (Kahembe) Khumalo who was FC Platinum’s goalkeeper trainer. Mhari’s skills and dexterity between the sticks were appreciated by everyone hence his being voted the best goalie of the year. If credit is to be given it should go to Khumalo, who did a great job at the club.
Tshuma only joined FC Platinum in 2020 after the Zvishavane platinum miners had already won the league three consecutive times.
In 2017 when FC Platinum first won the league they conceded 15 goals and in 2018 they conceded 14, while in 2019 they conceded 15 goals.
In 2020 that was when Tembo Tshuma joined FC Platinum after the then-coach Lizwe Sweswe roped him in. However, no football was played due to Covid-19. But when finally football resumed, the champions conceded 15 goals in the 2021-22 season.
However, the average number of goals conceded by FC Platinum before his coming was around 15.
So for one to go on top of the mountain and shout that Tshuma has added value to the club’s goalkeeping department is stretching it too far. If the truth is to be told this season FC Platinum have already conceded 11 goals which is a bit extraordinary for the club.
However, when the champions won 1-0 against Black Rhinos and Green Fuel respectively, Tshuma was not with the team.
Incidentally, he won his first league trophy with FC Platinum after having failed to win the medal with a number of teams. He failed to win it with Highlanders, Triangle and ZPC Kariba to mention but a few
