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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza does not see their high-profile showdown against Triangle at Gibbo as an eliminator in the race for the Castle Lager Premiership title. Mapeza’s men have gone for 11 matches without being beaten, their last defeat coming against Dynamos in May at Rufaro.

“We are going to Triangle to play them like we do in all the other matches, they would be at home where they enjoy a lot of support,” said Ma- peza. “Kaindu (Kelvin) has done well in the Lowveld and thumbs-up to him considering the team was fighting relegation last year but it is now competing well against all the league’s teams.

“It would be a tough match in which we also hope to come out with a victory but we don’t want to put ourselves under pressure thinking of the championship or anything, we just want to play our matches and do well.” FC Platinum will miss forward Tarisai Rukanda, who is still to fully recover following his injury in the match against Highlanders last week.

Midfielder Winston Mhango will also be on the sidelines, serving a one-match suspension for accumulating three yellow cards. Kaindu, who has seen his charges drop points in the last two matches when they drew against How Mine and lost to Dynamos, will be hoping for a change of fortunes.

He still vividly remembers their first match at Mandava, which he says was a thrilling encounter, though his team lost 2-3. “The last time we played them it was a high-profile and exciting match at Mandava. I believe they are one of the teams playing attacking football and I am sure the fans who will come will get value for their money with a good game.”

Fixtures

Today: ZPC Kariba v Whawha (Nyamhunga).

Tomorrow: Triangle United v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Hwange v Harare City (Colliery), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Buffaloes v Flame Lily (Sakubva), Chapungu FC v CAPS United (Ascot), Dongo Sawmill v Tsholotsho (Vengere), Dynamos v How Mine (Rufaro).