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Sports Writer
Speaking ahead of their Week 18 encounter against Simba Bhora at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane, tomorrow, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza yesterday said they have been in a similar situation of an indifferent run and came up tops.
He has told his team’s management and fans not to panic.
Mapeza said his players are mentally fit for the challenge that lies ahead. The defending champions are 11 points behind table toppers, Highlanders FC who are on 37 points.
“Preparations are going on very well despite those few hiccups we have been facing in the last three weeks but it’s part of football. Everybody knows what is happening, sometimes it’s sad because we put in so much effort, week-in and week-out and we don’t get the desired results. I get affected as a coach and so are the players and fans,” he said.
Mapeza said as a team they have to soldier on given that they have been in a similar situation before.
“What is important is to remain united so that we focus on our next game. It will come to pass but like I said, for now it’s all about unity. The guys are doing okay, I spoke to them on Tuesday, some of these things sometimes are beyond our control. I don’t want to blame anybody, especially the players, if you look at our last three matches, they have been playing very good football,” said Mapeza.
He said it was a difficult time with a lot of things being said but he will not listen to what some people were saying. Mapeza said the coaches and players should remain united and concentrate on improving their game for them to pull through.
“If you look at our situation in 2015, it was the same where I think in our first five games, we won only once and lost the other four games,” he said.
In 2015, FC Platinum went on to finish in third place on the standings, behind champions Chicken Inn FC and runners-up, Dynamos FC. Mapeza said it’s normal as the coach to receive criticism when results are not coming and this happens in every part of the world.
“Let’s fight for the same cause, let’s try to solve problems which we are facing as a club at the moment and maybe we can see ourselves getting the desired results,” said Mapeza.
FC Platinum is expecting a full-strength squad when they play against Simba Bhora .
– @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter