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Norman Mapeza

Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza says he would have preferred to battle Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup final showdown on Sunday away from his team’s home ground at Mandava.

There has been concern, in the Sunshine Boys camp, that their opponents have been handed an advantage and will start the match on the front foot because the big match is being held in their stadium where they have built a fortress under Mapeza.

The Zvishavane side have been the league’s in-form side, since Mapeza took over as head coach, replacing Lloyd Mutasa and have now qualified for the Mbada Diamonds Cup after securing, at worst, fourth-place, in the championship race.

FC Platinum could even finish third, in the championship race, which will represent a spectacular comeback story after their campaign appeared to stall under Mutasa, should they win their final game, as is largely expected, against relegated Chiredzi at Mandava.

Should CAPS United, who face championship favourites ZPC Kariba in their final match of the season at Gwanzura, lose that game, FC Platinum could finish in third place in the championship race should they beat Chiredzi FC.

The platinum miners have won their last three league games at home, beating Chicken Inn 2-0, Buffaloes 2-1 and ZPC Kariba 2-0.

Their victory over ZPC Kariba was even impressive, given the way the Premiership newboys have bullied just about every team, including defending champions Dynamos and Mapeza’s men are yet to concede a goal in their last five league matches, home and away.

During that run, they came to Harare and beat Harare City 2-0 at Rufaro and held CAPS United to a goalless draw at the National Sports Stadium while also holding the Glamour Boys to a goalless draw at Mandava.

Their last defeat, at home, was when they slumped to a 0-1 league defeat at the hands of Highlanders.

They have scored seven goals, in two matches, against the Green Machine, at Mandava, scoring six in the ZNA Charities Shield final and then beating CAPS United 1-0 in a Chibuku Super Cup tie at the same venue.

Mapeza told The Herald yesterday that, if he had the power, he would have ensured that his men take on Harare City away from Mandava in the Chibuku Super Cup final.

The former Zimbabwe Warriors gaffer said, in the event that his team triumphs on Sunday, some people will try to take the gloss off his side’s performance pointing that they were aided by playing the final in their backyard and before their fans.

Mapeza said his team has worked hard to be where they are today, including securing their place in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final by beating Hwange in their backyard at the Colliery on Sunday and he wants them to be judged fairly.

“As a coach I would have preferred a central or neutral venue for both teams so that people do not say we had an unfair advantage as we were playing at home and had home advantage, in case that we win Sunday’s Cup final,” said Mapeza.

“I believe we are going to have a lot of pressure, we are playing at our home and that means we must aim very high.

“The fitness among the players is good and I just hope that we will be able to win, this is a big Cup final coming our way and it will be good to get a victory.

“We won the Independence Cup as well as the Zimbabwe National Army Cup, but the match which we are going to play on Sunday will be the big one.”

The choice of the venue was decided by the PSL leadership who believe that Mandava will give the Chibuku Super Cup final the grand atmosphere, in the stands, that a match of such a magnitude deserves.

Fans will also pay US$1 for the cheapest tickets to watch the final and the PSL expect a full-house during the big match.

FC Platinum beat Bantu Rovers 3-0 in the first round at Mandava with Qadr Amini, Ashley Mukwena and Aaron Katebe scoring.

The miners were back at Mandava for the quarter-finals where they edged CAPS United 1-0 as Malawian defender George Nyirenda scored an own goal.

They then beat Black Rhinos, in the semi-finals at Rufaro, after losing to a lone Walter Musona strike decided the contest.

On their way to the final, Harare City beat ZPC Kariba 1-0 in the first round at Rimuka and then overcame Chiredzi 2-1 at Mandava in the quarter-finals.

Francisco Zekumbawira, William Manondo and Martin Vengesayi were on the scoresheet as Masimba Dinyero’s side beat Highlanders 3-0 in the semi-finals.