South African coach Thabo Senong enjoyed a winning start to life at FC Platinum on Saturday, August 22, guiding the Zimbabwean giants to a 1–0 victory over Agama FC at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
Tadiwanashe Godfrey Muchenje scored the decisive goal as FC Platinum secured three valuable points and climbed to ninth place on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table with 35 points from 27 matches. Agama remain 15th on 22 points.
The result also moved FC Platinum one point ahead of Simba Bhora, who sit 10th on 34 points.
With seven league matches remaining, Senong and his technical team have an opportunity to push FC Platinum further up the table and finish the campaign strongly. Agama, meanwhile, face a crucial run-in as they fight to improve their position.
The victory marked Senong’s first match in charge after his work permit was finally secured, ending a frustrating wait of more than three weeks. His clearance, along with that of his assistant, former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana international Reneilwe Letsholonyane, came on Thursday, allowing the South African duo to finally take their places on the touchline.
Letsholonyane brings considerable experience to the FC Platinum technical team following a distinguished playing career with Jomo Cosmos, Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, and Bafana Bafana. His transition into coaching alongside Senong represents a new chapter in the career of one of South Africa’s respected former midfielders.
The victory was particularly significant for FC Platinum as it ended their long wait for a home league win at Mandava Stadium. Their previous home league victory came on May 16, when they defeated Chicken Inn 1–0.
For Senong, therefore, the debut delivered exactly what every new coach wants: a victory, three points and a clean sheet.
The South African coach inherited a side in need of greater consistency, and Saturday’s result provides an encouraging foundation for the final seven matches of the campaign.
For Letsholonyane, meanwhile, the occasion marked an important step into senior coaching after years at the highest level as a player.
Together, the South African duo now have seven league games to make their mark and build momentum at one of Zimbabwe’s most successful clubs.
Saturday’s narrow victory was only the beginning, but for Senong and Letsholonyane, it was a perfect first step.
