adminFC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has begun feeling the after effects of his club’s participation the Confederation Cup with the lanky gaffer being forced to juggle with his players as he plunges into a hectic programme which will see his side play five matches inside two weeks.
The Zvishavane side featured in the Uhuru Cup final against Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday in a game which was called off in the 65th minute due to poor lighting following a power failure. Dynamos were leading 1-0, courtesy of Ronald Chitiyo’s 15th minute strike when the match was abandoned.
Before travelling to the capital for the Independence Cup final, FC Platinum who were knocked out of the Confederation Cup by Tanzania’s Young Africans had engaged CAPS United in the semi-finals of the Uhuru competition at Mandava.
On April 11, FC Platinum had lost 3-1 to Chicken Inn in a league game and they will be back in the capital on Wednesday to face Harare City in a league game at Rufaro after which they will return to Mandava to take on Whawha on Saturday.
Mapeza’s side are set to play another league match at the weekend and the coach said he was prepared for the taxing adventure.
“We have to juggle around with the players on the fixtures. There is nothing we can do but fulfil the fixtures.
“Now I have been resting three players for each game and give them time to recover before the next match.
“So we need to come up with a good team for all the matches,” said Mapeza.
Mapeza said he is not worried much about any serious injuries to his players because his players were now fit, having started their preparations early in the season because of the Confederation Cup.
The former Warriors coach is expecting Donald Ngoma and Walter Musona to have recovered in time for the match against the Sunshine Boys. — sportszone.
Online Reporter