Rodwell Chinyengetere and Ali Sadiki scored two quick first-half goals to power FC Platinum to the 2017 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League title following a 2-0 win at Chapungu on the final day of the season on Saturday.
Platinum needed nothing short of victory at Gweru's Ascot Stadium to fend off the spirited challenge of second-placed Dynamos, whose own 1-0 win over Chicken Inn ultimately proved futile as they finished two points behind the newly crowned champions.
The triumph represents Platinum's maiden title, while coach Norman Mapeza wins his second as a coach, having also guided Monomotapa to the championship back in 2007.
The Zvishavane-based miners become the first team from outside the two big cities of Harare and Bulawayo to be crowned champions in half a century.
Platinum had on several occasions in the past spurned great opportunities to win the title largely because of their inability to cope with the pressure of a title race. But they found form at the perfect time this term, winning five of their final six matches to beat their rivals to the finish line.
Chinyengetere, arguably Platinum's most outstanding performer all season, opened the scoring early on to calm the nerves, heading home a delicate Sadiki delivery in the second minute for his ninth of the campaign.
Chapungu were given little time to regroup as Sadiki himself then turned executer to find the target from close range five minutes later as Platinum made the most of a poor clearance by young goalkeeper Joseph Ferinando.
And although Platinum could not add to their two-goal advantage, they never really looked in danger against an opponent whose first real threat to goalkeeper Wallace Magalane's area came after nearly an hour of action.
Mapeza's decision to deploy both defensive midfielders Witness Mhango and Nqobizitha Masuku behind Chinyengetere proved inspired as the home side were denied the pace to find their rhythm.
Platinum ended the season with only two defeats, but they also accumulated 12 draws, with their lack of bite up front ensuring they scored a mere 40 goals from 34 matches.
At the opposite end of the table, Chibuku Super Cup winners Harare City were relegated along with Hwange on a dramatic final day of the season. Bantu Rovers and Tsholotsho had already confirmed their return to the second tier.
Runners-up Dynamos scored goal number 55 as they signed off with a 1-0 win over Chicken Inn, who finish third.
Defender Obey Mwerahari headed in ocean Mushure's pinpoint cross five minutes in to put Dynamos ahead, and although the Harare giants spent the remainder of the match on the back foot as the Game Corks dominated possession, an equaliser just would not come.
Full Results
Chapungu 0 FC Platinum 2
Dynamos 1 Chicken Inn 0
Bulawayo City 5 Bantu Rovers 0
Harare City 1 How Mine 0
Shabanie Mine 2 Yadah FC 0
ZPC Kariba 2 Hwange 0
Highlanders 1 CAPS United 1
Tsholotsho FC 0 Black Rhinos 0
Ngezi Platinum 0 Triangle 0