FC PLATINUM president George Mawere has solidly put his faith behind embattled coach Norman Mapeza, putting to rest rumours that the former Warriors mentor might be on his way out of the club after a fourth successive loss in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
Platinum went down 2-1 to Hwahwa on Saturday to add to defeats to Harare City (2-1), Chicken Inn (3-1) and Caps United (1-0). They have only managed a 3-0 win over Flame Lily and 2-2 home draw against Dongo Sawmills in the opening fixture.
This Friday, Platinum will host unpredictable Tsholotsho (kick off 1pm).
Having finished 2014 on a high note, winning the coveted Chibuku Super Cup which was their fourth silverware of the season, Platinum exited the Caf Confederation Cup in the second round after losing to Young Africans of Tanzania.
But the club’s boss, Mawere, exclusively said it was not an option to implement changes in their technical department.
“When a team is losing, it is normal that people start pointing fingers, but I have always believed that when we lose, we lose as a team,“ he said. ”I am appealing to everyone to be calm and give the team time. I am calling on the team to be united during this bad spell.
“Making changes to the technical department is not even an option, we have confidence in the current set up.”
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There were rumours yesterday that Mapeza had already been replaced by a Malawian coach, but this proved not to be true. In 2008, Mapeza had a terrible start to the campaign as Monomotapa coach, losing his opening four league matches, but turned things around and went on to win the league.
After losing to the prison wardens who are now under the tutelage of Mapeza’s predecessor at FC Platinum Lloyd Mutasa, Mapeza told the press that the performance by his charges was worrisome.
“As a coach you start getting worried when the team plays like this. We created a lot of chances and we could have scored many goals, but we failed to utilise those chances,” said Mapeza.
Meanwhile, there are rumours that Mapeza has lost control of his dressing room and the players are said to be sabotaging the coach following a lethargic display against Hwahwa.
Mapeza, having played international football in Turkey, knows that it’s not only tactical approach that wins games, but how you manage the players as well and drilling professionalism and loyalty.
