FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza, has remained steadfast on his stance to shy away from title talk even though his team has opened a five-point gap over their nearest rivals in the race for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship.
BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
Mapeza has maintained that neither he nor his players are thinking about the title at this stage, instead focusing only on the match they will be preparing for each week.
But with FC Platinum having injected massive investment in the last few years, it is clear it is the only thing they want.
Last season, Mapeza’s team pushed eventual champions Chicken Inn all the way and finished third behind Dynamos. This season they were one of the sides to heed the start pistol the fastest and have been swapping top spot with Highlanders and Caps United.
With Caps United floundering at the weekend after a 3-1 defeat to Bulawayo City, the Platinum miners took advantage with a 2-1 win over Triangle to increase their points cushion.
Yet, Mapeza still refuses to entertain the title favourites tag.
“You (media) are putting us under pressure with the favourite tag you are writing about. We still have 10 games to go and we are not talking about the title as yet,” he said. “We take each game as it comes and all the games are difficult not only for us, but for everyone. No game will be easy in the second half of the season. In the last five games, none of the teams at the top has managed to collect more than 10 points. Our next game against Chicken Inn will not be an easy one.”
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With Mutare City Rovers seemingly in trouble over fielding an ineligible player in their drawn match against FC Platinum, the Zvishavane-based side could also benefit points-wise.
Any more points would boost FC Platinum’s bid to become the first team outside Harare and Bulawayo to win the league title in 50 years. No team outside the two cities has managed that feat since St Paul’s Musami in 1966.
Their next match is against Chicken Inn at Mandava Stadium on Saturday, while their rivals Caps United entertain Mutare City Rovers the same day.
