admin
Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
HARD work, determination and focus were at the heart of FC Platinum’s brilliant run in the last few weeks, coach Norman Mapeza has said.
He has won the June Castle Lager Premiership Coach of the Month.
Unbeaten in their last eight games, in which they have won six times, the platinum miners have since broken away from competition in the title race midway through the marathon.
Mapeza won the Coach of the Month for the first time yesterday, taking over from Jairos Tapera of Manica Diamonds, who claimed the gong in April and May.
“Of course, I feel humbled by the recognition but any coach could have won it. I think this is a result of hard work from the boys and the whole team at FC Platinum,” said Mapeza.
Defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars were the most successful team with three wins during the period under review but their coach Takesure Chiragwi was in charge in two games before heading to the COSAFA Cup in South Africa.
His assistant Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva held the fort in his absence, when the defending champions dispatched giants CAPS United last weekend, to stretch their winning streak to six matches.
“I think we have had a mixed season. I usually divide the season into four quarters. We did well in the first quarter but then there was a huge slump in the second.
“We had a bad phase and I think this is something that we have experienced almost every season. These things happen in football.
“So, we talked to the boys not to lose focus.
“It’s all about belief, hard work and focus and these boys have done well in the last two quarters.
“We now have eight games without losing a match and it’s important to maintain the same focus when the games resume,” said Mapeza.
Online Reporter