FC Platinum Unveil New Coach

Hendrik Pieter de Jongh was on Monday unveiled as the new coach of Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League giants FC Platinum.

The Dutchman will replace the departed Norman Mapeza and arrives from another Zimbabwean top-flight side Highlanders after the end of his contract.

FC Platinum won the Premier Soccer League last season with De Jongh eager to push the Zvishavane-based outfit onto greater heights.

“I feel happy to be here at FC Platinum. Everything here is professional both on and outside the pitch,” De Jongh said. “I’m looking for a long term success but we can’t get it today. It’s not easy but we will go for it.”

Having watched the team play against Al Ahly in the last match on Saturday 28^th December, the new gaffer indicated that he will work to freshen the demoralized playing unit that has been underwhelming in CAF Champions League group matches.

“We need to restore the confidence of the players; I want them to play with passion and I have started working on that from my first training session. It has been a hard season but these are things we need to do,” he added.

FC Platinum declined to give to mention the duration of the contract between the club and De Jongh but the management promised they will give the tactician the full support to drive the team to greater heights.

Lizwe Swese, who has been working on acting capacity will now resume his role as assistant coach while Tembo Chuma who resigned at Highlanders just before the Dutchman started his tenure will be the new goalkeepers’ coach.

De Jongh will face his first test when the Platinum Miners takes on Al Ahly in a CAF Champions League matchday four fixture on Friday 17 January at the National Stadium in Harare.