Former Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza is on the cusp of winning the fourth league title of his career in Zimbabwe.
In March 2020, Mapeza quit the Chilli Boys after just four months at the helm. During his time in Eastern Cape, the former Zimbabwe international was in charge of 19 matches. He won eight, drew three and lost eight times. Four of those 19 matches were cup games, while six of their wins were in the league, helping them stay above the relegation waters.
Upon his return home, he rejoined Zvishavane-based side FC Platinum. Last season, they won the league, and with 11 games to go, the miners have not tasted defeat in the last 10 games. Interestingly, they have not conceded a goal in those 10 matches, which is the longest by any club in the Castle Lager Premiership. They have scored 19 goals.
The three-time champions sit at the apex of the table [with 52 points], eight points ahead of Harare giants Dynamos [42 points].
“We keep pushing, and it’s all about hard work. We have to manage everything we do. What’s important is organisation. If we can’t score, then they don’t have to score,” he said in a post-match interview, as quoted by Herald.
The former Ajax defender’s first league title was with the now-defunct Monomotapa before adding two more with the platinum miners.
In the same league, former AmaZulu coach Joey Antipas’ Chicken Inn continues to lose grip on the title race. They have dropped two points in the last four games, leading the standings at some point this season.
The Bulawayo side is in third place after losing to second-placed Dynamos recently.
“Remember we were flying high, but we hit a bad patch, and the team flying high can also do the same. There are still many games before the championship is decided,” Antipas said.
Former Jomo Cosmos forward Benjani Mwaruwari was recently axed from his job as Ngezi Platinum coach. He joined them at the end of March, and in 13 games, he registered three wins and six draws and lost only four times.
RELATED STORY: Zimbabwe football’s decorated journeyman
