FC Platinum have sealed their fourth title on the trot in Zimbabwe’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
The Zvishavane side won the title with four games to spare after amassing unassailable points ahead of their rivals.
This follows Dynamos’ 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bulawayo City on Saturday afternoon at Barborfields stadium.
FIRM CHALLENGERS
Dynamos and Chicken Inn were the firm challengers, albeit trailing behind by eleven points on matchday 31.
Pure Platinum Play have 67 points, and Dynamos’ loss means they will not catch up even if the Norman Mapeza-coached side losses all the remaining games.
Considering their current form, they are poised to extend their lead at the summit of the standings.
However, their celebrations are iced as they are in the middle of a player wrangle where they are accused of using an illegible player, Juan Mutudza, throughout the campaign.
Harare-based club, Herentals allege that the Zvishavane side illegally signed and played Mutudza, who they claim is still contracted to them.
FC Platinum signed Mutudza at the start of the season from Dynamos, where he was on loan from Herentals.
According to Herentals, the 23-year-old still has one year remaining on his contract with them, making his move to FC Platinum a breach of the rules and regulations.
POINTS DOCKED
In fact, the ambitious club is angling to have points docked from FC Platinum’s tally, which ultimately nullifies their title and possibly condemn them to relegation.
FARPost has it on good authority that the club has already sought the intervention of the Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] Players Status committee on the matter.
Herentals have also made bribery claims against FC Platinum, with the latter’s officials alleged to have attempted to bribe the former’s officials to sweep the matter under the carpet.
How the matter will be settled remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, FC Platinum are riding on a 17-match unbeaten run and will be looking to maintain the spotless record until the curtain goes down.
They face Caps United on Sunday afternoon at the National Sports Stadium, before hosting Yadah Stars next weekend.
Afterwards, they will travel to the low veld for a date with Triangle before concluding the season at home against Cranborne Bullets.
