Mapeza rallies Zvishavane

16 Nov, 2014 - 03:11 0 Views
Mapeza rallies Zvishavane

The Sunday News

mapeza

Norman Mapeza

Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
NORMAN Mapeza continues with his quest to land more silverware with FC Platinum when his team takes on Harare City in the final of the Delta Beverages bankrolled Chibuku Super Cup at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane this afternoon.After replacing Lloyd Mutasa at the Zvishavane based club in August, Mapeza bagged his first silverware with the platinum miners, the Zimbabwe National Army Charities Cup following a 6-0 drubbing of Caps United at the venue of today’s match.

With one match to go, FC Platinum are already guaranteed a fourth place finish in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, a feat that secures them a place in the end of season Mbada Diamonds Cup, a tournament reserved for the top four clubs.

Mapeza is, however, not getting carried away as he guns for the Chibuku Super which carries with it a first prize of $75 000 for the winners and $50 000 for the runners-up. The former Zimbabwe Warriors coach believes that they have done the most difficult part by qualifying for the final of the 16-team competition.

Chances are high that the winners of the Chibuku Super Cup, the most inclusive of the PSL Cup competitions this year will represent the country in the Confederation of African Football Confederations Cup which makes it more worthwhile to play for.

“We are taking this game seriously; we have done the hardest part by making it to the final. It is an achievement for me as a coach and the club to qualify for the final as we have already won the ZNA Charities and secured the fourth spot which qualifies us for the Mbada Diamonds Cup, the hard work has paid off for us,’’ said Mapeza.

Mapeza called upon the Zvishavane community to come out in full force to support his team.

“To the Zvishavane community, we do appreciate their support, if all goes well we are going to win the Cup. We cannot say we are definitely going to win because we are playing against a team that has also done well to get to the final,’’ he said.

A goal by youngster Walter Musona secured FC Platinum their place in the final when they defeated Black Rhinos 1-0 in a last four encounter played at Rufaro Stadium in Harare last month.

Harare City should be high on confidence going into the final after firing three goals without reply past Highlanders in the semi-finals.

Masimba Dinyero, the Sunshine City Boys coach said he was unfazed by playing Kugona Kunenge Kudada in Zvishavane as long as it is in Zimbabwe since he believed that home advantage did not count for much.

Dinyero disclosed that the only injury concern for him was speedy forward Martin Vengesai, ruled out of the match by a fractured back.

FC Platinum head into the fixture without Zambian defender Aaron Katebe who is on duty for Chipolopolo in their quest to book a place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Mapeza has an array of stars to choose from who include Petros Mhari, Raphael Muduviwa, Qadr Amin, Gift Bello, Kelvin Moyo, Elvis Moyo, Obrey Chirwa, Wisdom Mutasa, Thabani Kamusoko, Musona, Tarisai Rukanda, Mitchell Katsvairo, Allan Gahadzikwa, Nelson Maziwisa, Benjamin Marere and Donald Ngoma.

For Dinyero, he would be banking on the exploits of Nomore John, skipper David Kutyauripo, Timire Mamvura, Arnold Chaka, Arnold Chiveya, Tendai Ngulube, James Jam, William Manondo, Osborne Mukuradare, Talent Chawapiwa and the in-form striker Francesco Zekumbawire.

Consumers of Chibuku Super have not been left out of the excitement with a draw to be conducted during half-time where a lucky customer will drive home in a brand new Toyota Quantum while there are a lot other prizes up for grabs.

 

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