Ex-Chippa coach Mapeza braces for Zim PSL coronation but…. 

Former Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza might have helped FC Platinum win their fourth title on the trot but he is not yet satisfied that his team can last the distance in continental club competitions.

The four-time champions, FC Platinum are set to receive their silverware on Saturday after their last league match against Craneborne Bullets at their fortress, Mandava stadium in Zvishavane.

FC Platinum won the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League league title with three games to spare, after challengers Dynamos and Chicken Inn lost steam in the homestretch.

And as FC Platinum brace for homecoming celebrations, Mapeza admits that his men need more drilling if they are to be competent enough for continental club assignments.

MAPEZA ON CAF COMPETITION

“The nature of our work means we do celebrate at instances but we quickly are back to the drawing board to plan for the future,” Mapeza said.

“The team did well upto this stage. Everyone works hard. Everyone is united and everyone is in high spirits ahead of our final match. We all share the same vision for the club.

“But we must be true to ourselves, our team has so many youngesters who undoubtedly need more time and more training to be at a level good enough to cut across any competition both locally and beyond [CAF Champions League].

“It’s never going to be easy because we will be working to be better from each stage, from each season. It means, we need more effort from both the players and us as the technical team.”

However Zimbabwe has been on the sidelines of continental competitions due to the ban imposed on them by FIFA on charges of government interference.

Prior to the ban, FC Platinum had represented Zimbabwe in the continental club competitions though without success.

In fact, going beyond the group phase of the lucrative tournament remained elusive since their maiden CAF Champions League appearance in 2013, then under the mentorship of Rahman Gumbo.

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