Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
FC Platinum will be hoping their battery of players from Malawi will help them reclaim the league championship.
The Malawian players are defender Nickson Nyasulu, midfielder Precious Phiri and striker Vincent Nyangulu.
Nyasulu used to be one of the stars at serial Malawian champions Nyasa Big Bullets.
The Zvishavane side recently parted ways with four seasoned players – Lawrence Mhlanga, Rainsome Pavari, Donald Teguru and Panashe Mutimbanyoka.
Mhlanga and Pavari are now on the books of Manica Diamonds while the duo of Teguru and Mutimbanyoka joined Scottland.
“That’s the most difficult part, if you lose someone you have been with for three to four years and to bring someone new, is not easy,” said Mapeza.
“We lost guys who did very well for us last season.
“They have gone, maybe to better their lives, that is all what football is all about, it’s getting better opportunities which can take you somewhere in life.
“I don’t want to talk about the rebuilding phase, we have picked a few guys, three players from Malawi and some players from our Under-19 team.”
FC Platinum yesterday concluded their two-week training camp in Bulawayo with Mapeza expressing satisfaction ahead of the start of the 2025 season.
Last season, they finished second in the championship race after amassing 61 points, five behind eventual winners Simba Bhora.
“We have been conducting our pre-season camps in Bulawayo since 2018. We found out that the atmosphere is comfortable and there is quality infrastructure.
“Everything has been going on well, it’s all about the physical part of football, of course, we had some friendly matches but 99 percent was about the physical preparation.
“We were alternating between the gym and the pitch. The guys are looking okay, we don’t have any injuries after having training games.
“It was not all about how the guys were playing, it was about how far we have gone with their physical conditioning.”
They played some training matches against ZIFA Southern Region Division One side Zebra Revolution, a club which was founded by ex-FC Platinum player Mkhokheli Dube.
Mapeza said he has given players a few days off and they will re-group on Monday next week.
Mathew Masinge