Mapeza cries foul

Langton Nyakwenda

AT first it was Lloyd Chitembwe calling national team coach Michael Nees a clown.

That was after CAPS United skipper Godknows Murwira allegedly sneaked out of Makepekepe’s camp ahead of a Harare Derby showdown against Dynamos to join the national team.

An angry Chitembwe accused Nees of blocking his captain from featuring in that blockbuster match, which CAPS United won 2-1 at Rufaro Stadium on October 6.

Nees wanted Murwira fresh and injury-free ahead of back-to-back African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Namibia in South Africa.

The versatile defender featured in both matches, but when he came back home, he was stripped of the captaincy.

Last weekend, Manica Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera apportioned the blame for his teams’ Chibuku Super Cup demise on the national football association.

The Gem Boys lost 4-2 on penalties against Dynamos in a Chibuku Super Cup semifinal at Rufaro.

The match had ended 1-1 after DeMbare snatched an added-time equaliser through Emmanuel Paga.

Manica Diamonds were missing the services of key defender Thubelihle Jubane, who was part of the Warriors African Nations Championships (CHAN) squad that lost 0-3 against Eswatini in the first leg of the preliminary round qualifier in Botswana.

“We wrote a letter to ZIFA asking for his withdrawal from the squad but they refused,” said Tapera.

“Those are double standards and I squarely blame ZIFA for our defeat.

“It (Dynamos goal) was a blunder at central defence where he should have been. This (CHAN) is not FIFA-sanctioned, yet we lose our best players to that and we have important matches.”

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has become the latest to cry foul after his team was also affected.

There seems to be a growing concern over the way national team call-ups for local-based players are being handled.

Mapeza will miss star player Brian “BB” Banda when FC Platinum face Dynamos in a decisive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.

Banda, an influential box-to-box midfielder, is also part of the Warriors’ CHAN team that played Eswatini in the reverse fixture in South Africa yesterday.

But the 29-year-old player should have rejoined FC Platinum for the Dynamos match, according to an agreement between his club and ZIFA.

“We requested Brian to be here but he is not here,” a worried Mapeza said.

“We had said he should play the home game in Botswana and then come back home for the Dynamos game, but he is not here.

“I don’t want to get involved in an exchange of words or appear as if I am fighting the system, but if we make an agreement, let’s honour the agreement.”

FC Platinum are involved in a two-horse race for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship with log leaders Simba Bhora, who played CAPS United at Wadzanai Stadium yesterday.

And Mapeza thinks the PSL should “fixture” the title contenders’ games on the same day.

“If it means Simba are playing on a Saturday, we also have to play on a Saturday,” he said.

“Those teams which are fighting relegation, I think they should also play on the same day. Because if one team is to play on Saturday and the other one on a Sunday, it’s going to be tricky.”

Pure Platinum Play are on 54 points from 30 games and might now need to win all their remaining four fixtures if they are to stand a chance of winning the league title.

They still have to play Simba Bhora at Wadzanai Stadium during the penultimate week of the season.

“We have to follow what these guys (PSL) have told us to do but my wish was to play on the same day. We are all pushing for the championship,” said Mapeza.

“Let all the games be played on a Saturday, not to have one play on a Saturday and the other on a Sunday, what for?

“There are only three games to go. Let’s all push on the same day.”

The four-time championship-winning coach is expecting a tough encounter against a Dynamos side that is fresh from booking a place in this year’s Chibuku Super Cup final.

“We are going to play a very good team in Dynamos and they are among the biggest clubs in the country.

“No matter which position they are on the log, Dynamos will always remain Dynamos.

“After winning their semifinal game against Manica Diamonds, definitely their morale is high and for us, like I always say, we just take each game as it comes.

“We don’t have to put ourselves under pressure because of our position,” he said.

Dynamos fizzled out of the title race some time ago, but their coach, Lloyd Chigowe, wants his boys to play for the badge.

“We go in there as Dynamos, a brand that needs to come to the party.

“These are the kind of games in which we should show our qualities,” he said.

DeMbare could derail FC Platinum and aid Simba Bhora’s cause if they win today.

But that is not an issue for Chigowe.

“We are not going to spoil anyone’s party, but we also have to party ourselves,” quipped Chigowe.

Dynamos are without vice captain Emmanuel Jalai and goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, who joined the Warriors’ CHAN squad last week.

FC Platinum striker Wilfred “TK” Muvirimi is a serious doubt, as he is nursing a knee injury.