Mapeza gives up on title race

Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Reporter

Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 FC Platinum

FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza has admitted his side does not have a chance to defend the Castle Lager Premiership title.

Mapeza did not mince his words as he gave his post-match view after the platinum miners settled for a one all draw against Bulawayo Chiefs in a Castle Lager Premiership match played at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.

He said the draw yielded nothing as they dropped crucial points on the road. For that, he was not a happy man and indicated they are now in the fight for the championship, “mathematically.”

The defending champions failed to show up for their worth as title holders. They were beaten cold just in the first two minutes as Bulawayo Chiefs opened the scoring through Farau Matare.

The visitors’ reply came in the eighth minute following a Brian Banda sitter, that was to level the contest till the end. Mapeza couldn’t help but confess his team has not played well enough to retain the title.

“Mathematically we are still in the run for the championship but, if we keep dropping points like this, we are off. We just have to work hard,” said Mapeza.

However, his opposite number, Johanisi Nhumwa was content with the result.  The draw was enough for him to cap a good weekend at work. He, however, expressed disappointment at how they lost control of the game when FC Platinum equalised.

“It was a good game. After we scored the opening goal we relaxed. Overall, though, I was impressed with how my boys played. We just had to convert our chances at goal. We should have scored more,” he said.

Nhumwa explained his game plan against FC Platinum was hinged on holding back the visitors’ fast paced action in the midfield. So well executed was the plan in that Amakhosi Amahle kept an offensive attack for the better part of the second half.

With Nhumwa praising his players for a point gained, the Chiefs’ camp, however, would be unhappy for having failed to utilise the numerous chances that came their way. Chiefs will live to rue the day’s fortunes as the Premiership campaign continues.