Johnson Progress

FC Platinum have pulled the trigger on a coaching change just days before a must-win six-pointer, parting ways with head coach Joel Luphahla and turning to Thabo Senong in a bid to arrest a slide that has left the Zvishavane giants languishing in 11th place.

The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League club confirmed the departure of Luphahla and his entire technical team on Tuesday, describing the exit as a mutual decision.

“FC Platinum has mutually parted ways with Head Coach Joel Luphahla and members of his technical staff,” the statement read.

Pure Platinum Play used the statement to express gratitude for the outgoing coach’s efforts during his time at the helm, extending best wishes for what comes next in his career.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Coach Luphahla and his team for their dedication, hard work and contribution to the Club, and we wish them continued success in their future endeavors,” the statement added.

Senong steps into the role, though the move is not yet finalised.

The club says his appointment remains subject to the completion of contractual and registration formalities before he can officially take charge.

“The Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Thabo Senong as Head Coach, subject to the completion of contractual and registration formalities,” said FC Platinum.

In the interim, Moses Mwafulira and Alexio Sigion have been placed in charge of training and matchday preparations until those formalities are complete.

The timing of the reshuffle is telling.

It comes only days after a 1-0 home defeat to fierce rivals Dynamos, a result that compounded a miserable run and left the former league champions stuck on 31 points from 25 matches, deep in the bottom half of the table.

Whoever takes training this week inherits a side clearly in need of a spark.

That spark will need to arrive fast.

This week Simba Bhora travel to Mandava Stadium on Saturday to face FC Platinum in a Matchday 26 clash that has all the makings of a genuine six-pointer, with both clubs desperate to halt their own slumps.

Neither side arrives in form.

FC Platinum’s defeat to Dynamos was followed by a further 2-0 loss to MWOS, extending their losing run to two.

Simba Bhora have fared little better, playing out a 2-2 draw with MWOS before slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Agama.

The malaise on both benches only raises the stakes for Saturday’s meeting.

The league standings explain why.

Simba Bhora currently occupy 9th spot on 33 points, a mere two points clear of FC Platinum in 11th.

With so little daylight between the two clubs, Saturday’s result could reshape the mid-table picture heading into the second half of the season a picture Senong will be desperate to influence in his opening act, contractual formalities permitting.

History offers FC Platinum little comfort.

The two sides’ last meeting, at Wadzanai Stadium, ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for Simba Bhora, a scoreline that will hang over Mandava Stadium as kickoff approaches.

There is also a personal subplot to Saturday’s fixture.

Simba Bhora head coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu celebrates his birthday today, Tuesday the 28th of July, with his side’s trip to Mandava arriving just days later.

The question now is whether FC Platinum, under new interim guidance and with Senong’s arrival looming, can play spoiler or whether Mpofu will mark his birthday week with a result that further darkens FC Platinum’s mood as the coaching transition gets underway.