Mapeza was named FC Platinum coach last week, after the Pure Platinum play executive parted ways with Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa. The former Warriors coach started off with an assignment against Bantu Rovers in the Chibuku cup, where he won with a 3-0 score-line.
However, his real litmus test comes when he leads his troops into the PSL action, where success is obviously his biggest brief in the asbestos mining town of Zvishavane. In 19 matches, the platinum miners have won six times, drawn 10 and lost on six occasions – managing a paltry 28 points.
Their tally places them on the distant sixth position, seven points behind joint leaders ZPC Kariba and Dynamos. The fact that the side parted ways with Mutasa after such a feat just literally means the team’s executive expects better.
They have invested a lot of money into the club since its promotion into the league in 2010. That the club has also parted with five coaches in that space simply explains the ambitions that the platinum side have.
Mapeza’s first hurdle in the league will be against a rejuvenated and red hot Black Rhinos squad, who recently fell defending league champions Dynamos and Highlanders with an identical 1-0 score-line in their most-recent matches. Should he sail through, Mapeza will then face Highlanders. It is perhaps these two fixtures that will tell whether Mapeza, whose contract is understood to be involving a whopping $6 000 monthly salary, would have made the grade.
Meanwhile, Dynamos, rocked by a week-long strike last week, could slowly losing their grip on the PSL trophy if they do not put their squabbles behind them and stop Hwange and Triangle, whom they meet in the coming double header of fixtures.
ZPC Kariba finally lost their first game of this season to Harare City last week, but would hope to get redemption when they host Chapungu, while Bosso – still in the race for the honours, and will start off with Triangle before they meet Mapeza’s men.
Isheanesu Chaka took over the reins at How Mine after the departure of Philani “Beefy” Ncube last week and will be in the limelight going foward.
Chiredzi, Bantu Rovers, Shabanie and City still make up the quartet in the murky waters of relegation and so every game played henceforth should be a must win if they are to entertain hopes for surviving the chop and be part of the PSL story next year.
Post published in: Football