MAPEZA WARY OF SIMBA BHORA THREAT

Blessing Malinganiza 

CHAMPIONS FC Platinum are in the capital for the first game of their pursuit of an historic FIFTH straight league title.

They take on Newboys Simba Bhora in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.

And, coach Norman Mapeza, chasing an unprecedented fifth straight league title with the Zvishavane powerhouse, is not taking anything for granted.

“We are facing a very good side, I think everybody knows exactly what they’ve been doing in the pre-season where they beefed up their squad.

“They’re one of the best assembled teams in the league at the moment so it’s not going to be easy for us when we go to Harare.

“But, what is important is for us to go there with a positive mind, with the same hunger, desire we showed in our last game against Bulawayo Chiefs.

“We will then see what happens come the end of the day.”

He added:

“The majority of their players who helped the team to the promotion are no longer there and if you look at it, it’s like most of the players who left Dynamos are there.

“So, it’s not going to be easy because the majority of those players know exactly what (Tonderai) Ndiraya wants, so it’s going to be tricky. 

“But, it was the majority from those who played in Division One, then we would say maybe we can go and get something out of it.

“It’s not going to be easy so we have to up our game.”

The gaffer says they should treat Simba with respect.

“It’s a different ball game, we are in 2023 now. What we have to do is just to go there with a positive mind and give Simba the respect they deserve.

“Let’s just take them as one other club in the league and then we will see what happens.

“Otherwise if we are to go there with a casual approach, it’s football, we will leave that place with the players and me not on talking terms.”

The champions are likely to miss the services of their captain Gift Bello, if he doesn’t pass a late fitness test. 

“Some of the players are still out, Rainsome Pavari is still out, Gift Bello is still limping, we have tomorrow (today) to assess Bello but Pavari is definitely out.

“We had numbers (of fans) in our last game and I was happy. 

“We want them  to come to Harare and give us their maximum support. 

“We will try our best.”