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Mapeza puts eggs in one basket

Sport
Norman Mapeza has said FC Platinum will focus all their energies to retaining the league title after seeing his side getting knocked out of the Chibuku Super Cup at the weekend.

Norman Mapeza has said FC Platinum will focus all their energies to retaining the league title after seeing his side getting knocked out of the Chibuku Super Cup at the weekend.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

After a 2-2 draw, Chapungu progressed to the second round after penalty shoot outs as Mapeza’s team again failed to proceed to the second round of the prestigious knockout tournament.

And for the second successive time, the platinum miners fell to the same opponents in the prized tourney.

Yet it seems the championship winning coach gave a half-hearted fight in this year’s edition of the Chibuku Super Cup.

He said their main focus was on retaining the league championship and hitting good strides in the African Champions League.

“We still have the league and the Champions League again, so clearly it was going to be difficult for us to chase three rabbits,” Mapeza said.

“We can’t chase three rabbits at the same time. It’s either you push for one of them or you risk losing everything.

“We wanted to push in the Chibuku Super Cup, but after losing we have to keep on working hard and see if we can win what is left in front of us.

Mapeza, though, rejected the claim that his financially stable side is under pressure to win the league title ahead of seven difficult fixtures against Triangle, Dynamos, Nichrut, Chicken Inn, Shabanie Mine, Ngezi Platinum and Highlanders in this home stretch.

“Last season we lost in the first round and what happened? So who can put me under pressure? It’s a game of football, we lose some, and win some.

“So, why should I be pressured to win anything. I am not under pressure from anyone. What we wanted did not happen, but we have to accept and move on and see what is next for us,” he added.

The Zvishavane side currently sits five points ahead of Ngezi Platinum Stars with seven matches to go.

Tomorrow they travel to Gibbo stadium for a date with tricky.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixtures

Tomorrow: Mutare City Rovers v ZPC Kariba (Vengere), Chicken Inn v Chapungu (Lueveve), Nichrut v Harare City (Ascot), Herentals v Black Rhinos (NSS), Shabanie v Bulawayo City (Maglas), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Caps United (Baobab), Triangle v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Highlanders v Yadah (BF), Dynamos v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro).