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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
THINGS are looking up again for defending champions FC Platinum and coach Norman Mapeza will be looking forward to another good outing when they travel to Gibbo tomorrow for a date against new boys Green Fuel.
The platinum miners have posted two wins in their last two matches, to put behind them a five-match winless run that had spoiled their campaign earlier on.
Mapeza is in such buoyant mood after collecting maximum points against ZPC Kariba Mandava and bogey side Black Rhinos, who they upstaged on their own turf at the National Sports Stadium last week.
The former Zimbabwe international told journalists at a pre-match press conference yesterday that he would want to see consistency despite finding themselves on the road in consecutive weeks.
“If you look at our game against Rhinos we had so many positives,” he said.
“We created so many opportunities. I think there were some moments when we were in control of everything in terms of ball possession, in terms of our transitions and in terms of our defensive organisation. I think there was a time I thought we were really spot on.”
Mapeza admits his team is not yet at a level that he desires. But he has every reason to be optimistic especially after shutting out their opponents in their previous two games, working with makeshift defensive personnel, in the absence of key players Lawrence Mhlanga through injury and veteran Gift Bello, who fell sick on the eve of the encounter with Rhinos.
The platinum miners have dedicated most of their time this week to finishing in order to improve their fortunes in front of goal.
“Looking at where we are coming from, I can’t really complain that we went to Harare and we managed to get three points despite us scoring a single goal,” said Mapeza.
“We had so many opportunities and we have been working on that the whole of this week.
“That’s a plus for me as a coach because there are chances that are being created and I think what is left is the execution and the decision-making. We just need to continue with the momentum.”
The two wins also ensured FC Platinum remain within touching distance of the pace-setters Ngezi Platinum Stars, in what appears to be one of the tightest marathons in recent years.
FC Platinum are in fourth place with 18 points, two behind the log leaders. But GreenFuel are at the other end of the table where they sit third from the bottom, with 10 points from 11 games.
Mapeza however refused to downplay the competition he expects from the Chisumbanje side that is now under the tutelage of former colleague Rodwell Dhlakama, with whom he worked with at Monomotapa when he won his first coaching silverware just over a decade ago.
GreenFuel have managed to avoid defeat in their last two outings, following their 1-0 win over Black Rhinos and the 1-1 draw away to giants Highlanders last week.
“We are playing a good team,” said Mapeza.
“I think ever since Dhlakama took over, they have been doing very well. If you look at their past result against Highlanders; collecting a point against Highlanders in Bulawayo is not easy. It shows they really mean business. So it’s not going to be easy for us.
“But we have had massive preparations. The guys are looking okay. With the desire, the hunger, you can tell everybody is pushing. We just hope to go there and have a good game of football.
“I always give enough respect for any team in the league, whether the team has been there for the past 15 years or it just got promoted. My respect for any club in the PSL remains the same. So I will give GreenFuel the respect they deserve despite them getting promoted this season,” said Mapeza.
GreenFuel have been one of the best performers in the league since Dhlakama took over the reins from Bhekithemba Ndlovu five weeks ago.
The former Ngezi Platinum gaffer adopted a team that had a paltry two points in six matches and he has transformed them into a decent outfit good enough to pick eight points in the past five matches, after winning twice and drawing as many games while losing once.
“The best way is to focus on one game as they come. This weekend we are hosting FC Platinum. It’s obviously a very difficult match given the difference in status. But we don’t have to look at all that. We should have the character like the one we showed against Highlanders last week.
“We need to pick as many points if we can. The point is to go out there and work hard,” said Dhlakama.
Fixtures:
Today: Chicken Inn v Black Rhinos (Luveve), Cranborne Bullets v CAPS United (National Sports Stadium), Sheasham v Herentals (Bata)
Tomorrow: Highlanders v Bulawayo Chiefs (Barbourfields), GreenFuel v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Hwange v Manica Diamonds (Colliery)
Monday: Yadah v Ngezi Platinum Stars (National Sports Stadium)
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