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Mapeza turns to Sibanda

Sport
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza (pictured) has raided the transfer market once again in a bid to win his first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title as coach and a maiden for his big-spending, but under-achieving side.

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza (pictured) has raided the transfer market once again in a bid to win his first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title as coach and a maiden for his big-spending, but under-achieving side.

BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE/ TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

The platinum miners have turned back to attacker Charles Sibanda, who has been plying his trade at How Mine, to try and bolster their attack for the second half of the season. The Zvishavane-based side are in second position on the log with 30 points, the same as log leaders Highlanders, who have a superior goal difference.

After running eventual champions Chicken Inn close last season to finish third behind Dynamos, FC Platinum are looking to finally claim the title which has eluded them since they joined the top-flight league.

And after losing Zambian forward Obey Chirwa to the Tanzanian league, Mapeza is looking to fortify his team in what should be a gruelling contest for the top place this term. Sibanda spent the majority of last season sidelined with injuries sustained in a car accident, but is back in action now.

The 31-year-old has already left How Mine and has gone back Zvishavane to rejoin his former club, which he left in 2014.

The 2010 Soccer Star of the Year returns to try and lead the FC Platinum front line which also has Walter Musona, who has been linked with a move to Tanzania.

FC Platinum media liaison officer Chido Chizondo said Sibanda was one of the players under consideration to replace Chirwa, but it has been reported he has since signed.

“We are in the market for a striker to replace Obrey (Chirwa) and we are looking at a number of players.

“We will advise once we are done with our selection process which includes negotiations and medical examination and we are including Charles (Sibanda) in that process,” Chizondo said.

FC Platinum can shoot to the top of the league table with a win today when they take on Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium.

Mapeza believes the clash against the Gamecocks would be one of their toughest matches in the campaign so far, but said they were travelling to Bulawayo with a positive mind. Although acknowledging it will not be easy, Mapeza remains confident of coming up with a positive result.

“It will be a tough match against Chicken Inn, but we are taking it like any another match. We are going there (Bulawayo) looking for a positive result,” Mapeza said.

The FC Platinum coach said all his players were available for selection including forward Musona.

He refuted reports circulating on social media linking the forward with a move to a club in Tanzania.

“I have heard those reports on social media. I don’t normally comment on issues on social media. What I can tell you is that Walter is here. Our policy is that we don’t stand in the way of a player if he gets an opportunity to develop himself elsewhere. This is why we had some of our players going to Tanzania. But for Walter, there is nothing. He is with us for now and if there is anything concrete we will let you know.”

Mapeza also predicted a tough second round of the campaign.

“The second round is going to be much tougher. No team would want to drop points,” said Mapeza.

Chicken Inn are in 10th position on the league table with 19 points having drawn their last two matches against Ngezi Platinum and Harare City.

A win against the platinum miners will lift them into sixth place above Bulawayo City, Harare City, Ngezi Platinum and Triangle.

Coach Rahman Gumbo knows the significance of this encounter and with his team playing on their home turf, it presents them with an opportunity to leap four places up the ladder. The Gamecocks have not lost at home in the past five matches and have even beaten log leaders Highlanders at home.