Mapeza keeps track of the PSL transfer market

Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

THE 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League mid-season window has generally been quiet for the big teams but champions FC Platinum are keeping their eyes open.

The transfer window opened two weeks ago. FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza, while satisfied with his team, has not ruled out an opportunity to pounce on a player that might add value to his team, in their quest for a milestone fifth league title on the trot.

The platinum miners have experienced mixed fortunes in every department this season, with their defence more porous compared to last season.

They have conceded 11 goals in 14 outings, compared to the 15 they conceded the whole campaign, after playing 34 games, last year.

But the platinum miners have since stabilized, with five clean sheets in their last five matches against ZPC Kariba, Black Rhinos, GreenFuel, Chicken Inn and Dynamos.

Yet Mapeza would still have wanted to rejig his squad, had it not been for the difficulties with players having running contracts during this time of the year.

“It’s always difficult to beef up your squad during this window period because most of the players have contracts running until December.

“It’s either you have to buy or to maybe get one or two guys from our Under-19s. But we will see; we can’t say we are not going into the market. We still have some two or so weeks to go. So we will see in the next coming few weeks,” said Mapeza.

FC Platinum have been on an upward trajectory and currently sit in third place with 25 points, three adrift of log leaders Highlanders. They are set to host Yadah at Mandava this afternoon.  

“The boys have been working very hard, you can tell the hunger is there. After our game against Dynamos where I thought there were some other moments we didn’t do well, but in football you always learn every day.

“There were some positives picked from that game and so much to do with working on those positives. We are playing against a good side in Yadah, a quality side that likes passing the ball around.

“Despite them not doing well in the past few games they are always a threat. When you play a team that is more comfortable it’s always difficult but we are ready,” said Mapeza.

The four-time champions are looking to make good use of home advantage, with their supporters playing a key role in their quest for success.

“We always appreciate their support. It’s very cold and I hope people will come and watch the game because with this kind of weather some people will just decide to stay home.

“But definitely our die-hard fans will be here. We always appreciate their support. They should know that every time we go out to play we always try to make them happy,” said Mapeza.

Yadah have recorded successive defeats in their last three games against Ngezi Platinum Stars, ZPC Kariba and Black Rhinos and dropped to 13th place.  

Fixtures:

Today: Manica Diamonds v Cranborne Bullets (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Yadah (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Simba Bhora (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Sheasham (Nyamhunga), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields), CAPS United v GreenFuel (Bata Stadium)

Tomorrow: Triangle v Bulawayo Chiefs (Gibbo), Black Rhinos v Hwange (Bata), Herentals v Highlanders (Mandava)