Bruce Chikuni
FC Platinum became the second club to embrace a schoolboy in the Castle Lager Premiership this season when they thumped Yadah 4-0 at Mandava in the Chibuku Super Cup.
Beven Kaitano is doing his A-Levels at Zvishavane High School.
Ngezi Platinum Stars’ Nisbert Muzenda is the other schoolboy, who is having a feel of the big boys’ league while doing his studies at Wanganui High in Mhondoro.
FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza, is certain that Kaitano is going to have a reduced role and he only played because schools are on holiday.
Mapeza feels the reopening of schools early next month is going to weigh down heavily on players like Kaiton.
He pleaded with the PSL to grant permission to such recruits the freedom to play for the developmental side while also being registered in the PSL to get game time.
“My wish is for PSL to allow these youngsters to play for our Division One side to get more game time because he is now registered with us but the competition in the team is really tough for him.
“He still needs to improve for him to command a first team jersey and I hope he will continue working hard.
“We are going to try to give him the opportunity but it’s going to be difficult once schools reopen because it means he is not going to be with us and his situation might be worse if the developmental side decides to also do morning sessions,” said Mapeza.
FC Platinum are traveling to Nyamhunga to meet a struggling Cranborne Bullets side tomorrow.
The champions have not recorded a win in their last five league fixtures.
Cranborne Bullets ended their five-game winless run in their last league game against Black Rhinos.
“They have been one of the better sides in the league and it’s unfortunate that their position doesn’t reflect the good football they have been displaying.
“In some games we have restricted our opponents to fail to even get a corner kick and it tells you a lot about the work these boys have been putting in and we are going to Nyamhunga to try and get all the points,” he said.