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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
CHAMPIONSHIP-winning coach Norman Mapeza has urged his FC Platinum players not to take their foot off the pedal after wrapping up a fourth consecutive league title at the weekend.
The platinum miners were officially declared champions on Saturday when closest rivals Dynamos lost 0-1 to relegation fighters Bulawayo City at Barbourfields.
Mapeza and his men marched onto the National Sports Stadium arena the following day for their game against CAPS United with their tails up but they could not defend a first half two goal lead.
Walter Musona opened the scoring, when he bagged his 12th goal of the season, before Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya gave them a comfortable lead going to the half time break.
But Makepekepe fought back in the second half through Ian Nyoni and an 85th minute equaliser by defender Lincoln Mangaira.
Mapeza was not amused by the application from his players.
“I spoke to them. Look, I am someone who doesn’t get carried away with anything in life. It’s the same mentality that I want these guys develop.
“We still have three games to go, so let’s keep working. The job is not yet done. So we have to keep working and see where the last three games of the season will take us.
“It’s difficult, especially in our situation where some of the guys might think we are done now. They have to change that mentality. They need their Christmas bonuses. So they have to win so that they can get those bonuses. If you don’t win, you don’t get bonuses. They have to work hard to win all the remaining three matches,” said Mapeza.
The platinum miners have now amassed an unassailable tally of 68 points, with three rounds of play remaining. They are set to host Yadah at Mandava this Saturday. They will then travel to Triangle before rounding off at home against Cranborne Bullets.
This is Mapeza’s third title with the platinum miners and fourth overall in his career, having achieved the feat first with Monomotapa in 2009. He could have had five coaching career titles but he was no longer available when FC Platinum won the 2019 edition.
Mapeza was on the verge of winning the title when he left the Zvishavane side to join Chippa United in South Africa.
His erstwhile assistant Lizwe Sweswe saw the platinum miners through in the remaining games.
But the former Zimbabwe international has proven himself again in the 2021/2022 campaign, in which he had to overcome a brief slump in the first half after the platinum miners had sacked most of the old horses to reinvigorate their side.
“When the season started, we never made noise about winning the title,” he said.
“But it was work in progress. We were supposed to get where we are now maybe after two years. But we kept on working and believing and that is why we are here.
“And I am not surprised. It’s like when you are teaching a child to play football, you must see progress. So these guys progressed quickly,” said Mapeza.
FC Platinum joined the elite company of giants Dynamos and Highlanders for being the only teams to win four domestic league titles in succession. Mapeza said the championship was a huge milestone for him and the club.
“It’s massive achievement. It was a lot of hard work,” he said.
“As for me, I always go to bed around midnight. I plan. I want to know how our opponents are doing. I am always looking for information. But now, I can go home and rest.
“It has been hard work from the executive, from us the technical team, the players and even supporters. Everybody knew where we were coming from.
“We were working without any pressure this season. I think that is why we are here today. Nobody told me that coach this is what we want from you, you have to finish in this position this season. No. Nothing like that.
“But they said coach, now it’s work in progress, we have to start with these youngsters and see what will happen at the end of the season. But there was no target at all.
Most of you are surprised that we have won the title but it’s always about pushing each other,” said Mapeza.
Online Reporter