RISING centre-back Misheck Ngwenya says playing for FC Platinum turned out to be more than a dream as he thrives under the mentorship of his father’s idol, Norman Mapeza.
Ngwenya joined FC Platinum at the start of the season along with Jarrison Selemani as a virtually unknown player, who had made his strides into the elite league.
But what is surprising about this imperious defender is that it took him quite as long as it did to establish himself at the very top club.
For his first match back in February, the Castle Challenge Cup, Ngwenya was thrown into the fray, holding fort for Gift Bello who was injured at that point.
Even coach Norman Mapeza was full of praises for Ngwenya, who had performed exceptionally well in Bello's role.
The former Triangle defender has gone on to settle at FC Platinum, commanding a first team place even when the team was struggling to grind results.
For him, playing for FC Platinum is more than a dream come true, as he thrives under his boyhood idol.
"It was an honour to have such a responsibility, to be in the starting line up with some of the country's best talents.
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"It was an incredible feeling to help the team win the Castle Challenge Cup. I know my responsibilities, I came here to add value and help the team archive its intended targets.
"I've adapted well, both with the team and its system of play. Of course football is perhaps the same all over but the systems are different.
"Here at FC Platinum it's more about the system of play and technical abilities rather than skill.
"I'm happy here and I feel at home, the supporters are incredible and passionate, they go wherever the team goes.
"It's a massive club, I wish to continue with the team for more seasons winning trophies every season.
"I've adjusted and adapted quickly to the club and the new environment because I have been humble enough to accept to learn, develop and grow as a player.
"It has been a warm welcome from everyone associated with the team, I've bonded with my teammates and I feel at home," Ngwenya told the The Sports Hub.
The rookie defender explained how he has managed to keep up with the competition from Lawrence Mhlanga and Gift Bello.
"Despite the fact that we play the same position, Bello, Lawrence and Nomore helped me adapt to the system of play easily.
"The most important thing to do when you arrive at a new club is to talk less and listen more.
"The team is united, the coaches instilled a spirit of competition and competition has helped me to grow as a player.
"We always challenge ourselves to do more at training and I guess it's why the club has been successful," he added.
Ngwenya started his football journey at Kyle Primary School in the Lowveld before proceeding to Mufakose High School in Triangle, where he was scouted by Premiership side Triangle United.
"I developed the passion of football at a very young age, when I was grade 3 at Kyle Primary School in Triangle.
"I would represent the school at national ball games with the senior team. The journey began when I was at Mufakose High School in Triangle.
"We would participate in the NASH provincial games with teams like Pamushana, Dewure and Chiredzi Christian.
"It's when I was identified by Triangle Officials and became a leader in their Triangle United FC Developmental Side (Under20).
"In 2017 Coach Taurai Mangwiro, Godfrey Tamirepi and Innocent Chogugudza brought me to the senior team and it's the same year I began my professional career with Triangle United Football Club in the country's Elite League," he added.
The left sided defender worked under the highly rated coaches Masimba Dinyero and Taurai Mangwiro but it is Norman Mapeza who managed to bring the best out of him.
"I had only a year on my contract and when it ran down on 31 December 2017, I was offloaded; I joined Green Fuel in 2018 under Coach Masimba Dinyero and coach Taku Shariwa respectively because they had Premier League ambitions.
"Unfortunately we finished second behind Manica Diamonds that season, I joined Chiredzi Stars in 2019.
"I was the league's top goal scorer in the Eastern Region up to the June transfer window; it's when I attracted interest from different Premier League teams," he added.
