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Norman Mapeza

Paul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has told his team that they need to win against How Mine at Luveve today if they entertain any hopes of glory in their quest to make history and become the first club, outside Harare and Bulawayo, to be crowned champions in Independent Zimbabwe.

Only one other team, the great St Paul’s Musami, who turned themselves into league champions in 1966, have managed such a feat. And, a year to the Golden Anniversary of that achievement, Mapeza and his men are within touching distance of ending that lengthy wait for clubs based outside the country’s major two cities.

They have been on a good run and, last Saturday, destroyed champions Dynamos 3-1 at Mandava with Zambian international, Obrey Chirwa, the toast of the afternoon with his two goals.

“As I always say, it is going to be difficult game for us, we want to go there and get a positive result,” said Mapeza. “I have also no injury worries in my team.”

Mapeza and his men have gone for 13 games without losing a league match and are showing championship-winning form when it matters the most.

Only eight games remain before the curtain comes down in the marathon and FC Platinum have put themselves into a position where they can launch a final assault on the title. Pacesetters Chicken Inn have some tough games, starting with the tricky tie against Triangle at Gibbo this afternoon.

They will then meet How Mine, FC Platinum and Dynamos and a lot can happen with 24 points still at stake. But How Mine have the capacity to derail FC Platinum’s challenge.

“There is no game that I go to play with my team looking for a negative result,” How Mine coach, Luke Masomere, told The Herald. “I am planning positively although I have not been sleeping well because of the results I have been posting.

“It’s actually history because this has never happened in my life to go for six games without a victory.

“We have some challenges at the club but they are not for public consumption. Every dog has its day and tomorrow (today) it can be our day.

“Some things happening are beyond my control but I am going to give FC Platinum a brave fight as I want to collect maximum points.”