FCP wary of Tenax

Norman Mapeza, however, is leaving room for caution as MWOS have shown strong qualities despite playing in the top-flight for the first time.

Grace Chingoma

Senior Sports Reporter

TWO-time Chibuku Super Cup winners and defending champions FC Platinum will not underrate minnows Tenax when they meet in the first round of the knock-out tournament this Saturday at Mandava.

The focus shifts to the biggest knock-out tournament in the league this weekend when all teams, except for Cranborne Bullets and Bulawayo City, will be competing in the prestigious Cup.

FC Platinum are enjoying good form in the league where they enjoy a six-point cushion at the summit of the log.

But Cup games are different from league matches and the form book doesn’t really count. Such games have brought major upsets.

And FC Platinum goalkeeper Wallace Magalene reckons that they have a tricky game against Tenax this weekend.

The Castle Lager Premiership Player of the Month for July was speaking after he was rewarded for keeping 10 clean sheets in the league.

“Tenax are a good side and we will not underrate them in this game just because they are struggling in the league. We need to be careful and it is going to be a tough match for us,” said Magalene.

Magalene and his coach Norman Mapeza were the July winners for the league’s monthly awards. The Zvishavane side has been consistent in the last 11 matches. They only conceded a goal on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Black Rhinos at home.

The goalie has conceded one goal since he was handed the first team place. But Magalene knows that it will be a different dish when they meet Tenax this weekend.

FC Platinum lifted their second trophy last year after beating Ngezi Platinum on penalties. The two teams had settled for a goalless draw after 120 minutes of action.

But Mapeza prevailed over Rodwell Dhlakama and his charges to lift the prestigious Cup for the second time, having won it in 2014.

The 2019 league champions are chasing the league double as they begin the Chibuku Super Cup journey.

But Tenax with all the odds heavily against them are hoping to tear the form-book apart when they feature in their second edition of the Chibuku Super Cup. Tenax have since lost all their two league games against FC Platinum this season. They were hammered 6-1 at Mandava and lost 0-1 at home to sum up a woeful record against Pure Platinum Boys.

But Tenax manager Lloyd Chinawa says they will give the champions a good run for their money.

“We have been playing well but just unlucky. I am sure against FC Platinum the lady lucky will smile on us. A cup game is different from a league game. We will give the champions a good run for their money,” said Chinawa.

Chinawa added that his players are motivated to face the defending Chibuku Super Cup champions.

Chibuku Super Cup first round fixtures

Saturday: Chicken Inn v Harare City (Luveve), FC Platinum v Tenax (Mandava), Black Rhinos v CAPS United (Vengere), Ngezi Platinum v Herentals College (Baobab).

Sunday: Bulawayo Chiefs v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Yadah (Vengere), Dynamos v Whawha (National Sports Stadium), Triangle United v Highlanders (Gibbo).