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Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza, standing on the threshold of guiding his miners to a successful defence of their championship title, has set a new trend by becoming the first man to win four Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Coach of the Month awards.

Mapeza was voted Coach of the Month for September, with the panel of journalists, club captains and coaches, once again agreeing that he had outshone his counterparts in the 18-team league.

It is his 11th monthly award since Mapeza returned to the club coaching trenches in the Premiership when taking up the FC Platinum job on August 11, 2014.

Mapeza’s earlier awards this season, came in the months of May, June and August.

The former Warriors coach — the first man to guide a team from outside of Harare and Bulawayo to the domestic championship in 50 years — has helped FC Platinum assert their growing status in Zimbabwean football.

After shaking off a late charge by Dynamos to win the 2017 championship and with it FC Platinum’s maiden title, Mapeza has not looked back and has ensured that the Zvishavane miners did not become a one-season wonder.

His first Coach of the Month award for this year which arrived in May, coincided with FC Platinum’s resurgence as Mapeza’s men picked the pieces from the ashes of their disappointing CAF Champions League run, which ended at the preliminary stage.

Seasoned Angolan campaigners CD Primeiro de Agosto of Angola dumped them out.

Primeiro were last night actually eight minutes away from completing their Champions League fairy-tale with a place in the final beckoning, only to be eliminated by Tunisian giants Esperance who came from behind to beat them 4-2 on a night that Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe took centre stage for his controversial officiating that aided the hosts secure their triumph.

Esperance’s Anice Badri struck five minutes from time at the Stade Olympique de Rades last night to hand the North Africans a 4-3 on aggregate passage into the final.

The manner in which Sikazwe’s decisions, especially that of disallowing what appeared a genuine third goal for the Angolans that would have sent them through, sparked memories among Zimbabwean fans of how Egyptian referee Gehad Gerisha had broken their hearts last Tuesday.

Gerisha denied Knox Mutizwa what appeared a genuine winner for the Warriors against DRC in a Nations Cup Group G qualifier at the National Sports Stadium.

But for Mapeza, the journey to another championship success story with FC Platinum has been laced with individual accolades for the gaffer, which also stands him in good stead to retain the Coach of the Year award.

His charges could also yet become champions with three games to spare should they pass the Chicken Inn test at Mandava this afternoon and if nearest rivals Ngezi Platinum fall to Harare City at Rufaro.

Mapeza was yesterday naturally excited at having been recognised by the voting panel that has on four occasions this season chosen him to be the best coach.

“I think it is a massive achievement as a coach and as a club to have won these awards.

“Hard work and dedication is the secret behind it all and also the unity within the club.

“I think it is also a pump up for the other coaches who are also involved in the voting,’’ Mapeza said.

The 46-year-old coach also lauded his striker Rodwell Chinyengetere, who has been enjoying another fine season and leads the goal-scorers’ charts.

Chinyengetere has also featured prominently on the Player of the Month awards podium and won the September accolade.

“As for Rodwell, I think it is because of hard work and he has been an inspiration to his teammates,’’ Mapeza said.

Although he stands on the threshold of guiding FC Platinum to an unprecedented second successive championship, Mapeza reckoned that the biggest battle he faces in the title run-in was managing the players’ mental strength.

“Now it’s all about mental strength. We have done a lot to be where we are now. We have travelled the longest part of the journey, but we have to push for the remainder and that is where we are.

“As a club we need each other more now so that we can make the final push for the title,” Mapeza said.

FC Platinum have already been chosen to represent Zimbabwe in the next Champions League edition to be played under the new CAF calendar.

But Mapeza, who played UEFA Champions League football with Galatasaray of Turkey, knows too well the joy of winning on the continent after domestic success.

Mapeza insisted that he would not put his players under pressure for early success and would rather see out the remaining games without a defeat.

But FC Platinum have also been warned that they have to fight for the championship if they have to put up a strong fight if they are crowned champions again.

Chicken Inn’s Joey Antipas said the miners would have to earn their success at Mandava this afternoon.

FC Platinum enjoy a comfortable seven-point lead at the top and need at least two wins to be absolute about the 2018 championship.

Chicken Inn had been one of the major title contenders before they faded along the way and left it a two-horse race between the Platinum miners of Zvishavane and Mhondoro.

“One thing for sure is that we do not make it easy for anyone in whatever competition we play.

“We are out of the title race, but we want to be party spoilers. We want also to end the season on a respectable position and that starts with getting a win away in Zvishavane.

“FC Platinum is playing good football of late, but we are also determined to finish strongly. It will not be an easy game for anyone. We are ready for the match and the boys are motivated for the game,” Antipas said. “Last time we did not do very well in the league, but we are confident of a good game this time around,” said Antipas.