Norman Mapeza
Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC PLATlNUM coach Norman Mapeza hopes his side collects maximum points against Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Mandava Stadium tomorrow.
The platinum miners have started this season on a positive note and are one of the firm favourites for the league title. However, Mapeza wants to remove pressure from his boys by just focusing on collecting maximum points on every match day and not to aim for the title.
“It’s too early to talk about the championship, but we can push as far as we can in terms of what we want to achieve come end of the season,” said Mapeza.
“We need to collect as many points as possible in the first half of the season despite the first games of the season being very tricky. We are in a new season and I will not dwell on history, so we need to play and get a positive result since everybody will be fired up.”
He said Chapungu is a good side and the Zvishavane-based side would have to play to their strength to get positive results. Mapeza’s men have responded well to his tactics as was evident when his second string side pushed Bulawayo giants Highlanders to the wire in the Independence Cup semi-finals at Barbourfields Stadium last week.
The same fringe players went on to silence troubled Dynamos in the third-place play-off at White Stadium Stadium, dismissing the Harare giants 2-0.
Mapeza is satisfied with the depth in his squad, but is worried about the effects of injuries and suspensions throughout the season.
The best Chapungu have done against FC Platinum was a draw at Ascot Stadium.