Online Reporter
Lawrence Moyo
FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza says his troops are ready to take on ambitious newcomers, Scottland, in a blockbuster Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture at Mandava tomorrow.
Despite champions, Simba Bhora topping the league standings and others like third-placed MWOS, Ngezi Platinum Stars and TelOne being firmly in the title race, tomorrow’s match is being called “Title Decider” in some quarters.
Scottland have been using the phrase in their pre-match hype on social media.
The hosts go into the match defending an unbeaten start to the season, which stands at 23 games, while both sides have won four in a row.
Mapeza is faced with the prospect of facing a fierce Scottland attack that might include new-signing and former Warriors captain, Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, former FC Platinum captain and reigning Soccer Star Walter Musona, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Tymon Machope and another mid-season signing, Khuda Myaba from Malawi.
Walter and midfielder Panashe Mutimbanyoka previously won the Castle Lager Premiership title with Mapeza at FC Platinum and might have a secret or two for their new side.
The former Warriors coach and four-time Premiership champion has likened the current Scottland to Black Rhinos’ all-conquering squad of 1984.
He, however, insists they are ready and might be smiling at the end of the day tomorrow.
The reverse fixture at Rufaro ended in a 1-1 draw but the squads have been transformed, and tomorrow’s clash will be different.
Scottland have been the most active on the transfer market with Musona’s capture generating interest even in South Africa where he featured for Kaizer Chiefs on two spells a decade ago.
On the other hand, FC Platinum lost captain Brian Banda in a tragic road accident while adding some new faces during the mid-season transfer window, which officially closed last night.
Addressing the media yesterday, Mapeza said: “Coming to our preparations, I can’t complain, the guys are looking okay. We know the challenges we are going to face on Saturday.
“We are facing a very, very good team. I think one of the best assembled squads in the country if you don’t talk of the Black Rhinos of 1984 when the picked the best players in the league.
“I think this is one of the clubs which has done that, and I think their intentions are very clear. If you look at their position on the log, you don’t need anybody to tell you what they really want.
“So, we know the challenges we are going to face, and we are ready. I am happy the boys have been pushing and what is important is for us to put everything into the game and see what happens at the end of the day on Saturday.”
Mapeza was non-committal when asked if he would throw in his mid-season signings for the big match although he conceded there are players carrying knocks in the build-up to the game, partially blaming it on fatigue.
“What most people don’t understand is that when you bring in new faces here, you don’t just throw them into the fray.
“You look at the physical attributes, physicality. Technically and tactically, they might be okay but where we are at this stage of the season it’s about their physical condition. Maybe we can give them a few minutes, but I can’t promise we will throw them from the first whistle.
“It’s not going to be an easy game and in football if you are not fit, its difficult for you to execute any technical moves. So, we will see.”
FIXTURES
Tomorrow: Dynamos v MWOS (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Scottland (Mandava), Simba Bhora v Chicken Inn (Wadzanai), TelOne v Manica Diamonds (Ascot), Yadah v Triangle (Heart), ZPC Kariba v Greenfuel (Nyamhunga).
Sunday: Bikita Minerals v CAPS United (Gibbo), Herentals v Kwekwe United (Rufaro), Highlanders v Ngezi Platinum (Barbourfields).
