Midfielder Oscar Machapa scored an injury-time winner to ease pressure on Dynamos coach, David Mandigora, following a three-match winless streak. But the result also meant Norman Mapeza’s charges have lost five times with barely a third of the season gone, and Mtizwa believes their title hopes are all-but over.
“I don’t see them coming back into the race now. Five losses in nine matches is just too much. Triangle and Chicken Inn have been doing well and although anything can happen in football, I don’t see those two teams losing that many matches,” Mtizwa said this week.
Platinum started the year as hot favourites to win the league title after a fantastic run in the final stages of last season. But a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Young Africans of Tanzania in the first round of the Caf Confederation Cup exposed some inherent weakness and the side has struggled to strike a consistent note ever since.
Platinum have also lost to Harare City, Wha-Wha, Chicken Inn, and CAPS United. Inevitably, more defeats await in their remaining 21 matches.
Mapeza’s charges are now in a position where they start every match fully aware they cannot afford another slip-up, a scenario that only serves to pile more pressure on the players, making them more venerable to the occasional thumping.
Platinum’s travails in the league have astonished many, especially given the depth at Mapeza’s disposal. Triangle and Chicken Inn have been in fine form and are currently tied on 20 points, with the ‘Sugar Sugar Boys’ leading the standings on goal difference.
Post published in: Football