Norman Mapeza’s hope of completing a double in Zimbabwe’s elite league was brought to a screeching halt after his side FC Platinum lost 3-4 to Herentals on penalties in the coveted Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals.
FC Platinum has been so good that they were tipped to retain both the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title and the Chibuku Super Cup.
STUNNED
Before the covid pandemic, they won the 2019 league title, their third, and the 2019 edition of the Chibuku Super Cup.
They went on to clinch the 2021 Chibuku Super Cup, which was the first football tournament after lockdown restrictions were lifted and a curtain-raiser to the current Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
However, on Sunday, they were left stunned when their stranglehold in the cup competition was broken by a minnow in the league.
Former Polokwane City and Sekhukune United forward Walter Musona scored for the platinum miners before Avi Mataranyika restored parity in the dying moments of the encounter leading to penalties.
In conceding the unexpected defeat, Mapeza said they setting sights on wrapping up the club’s fourth league title on the bounce.
ONE POINT
A draw in the next assignment is enough to win the league title with three games to spare.
“Winning this one [Chibuku Super Cup] could have been a bonus, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’m proud of the team and how they applied themselves. Our focus now shifts.
“At this point, we have to move on and focus on the league. Congratulations to Herentals. Losing on penalties is part of the game, you win or lose. It’s a 50/50 situation. It’s a lottery, nothing is guaranteed.
“Our focus now is on the remaining league games. We hope to succeed in the next tournaments, but for now, the league is our priority.
“We now channel all the energy towards the remaining games, which we hope to finish on a high note. It’s the last few games, and teams are racing towards meeting their season’s objectives.
“Some are fighting to preserve their premiership status, some for top four and eight. Ours is to remain on top by winning the remaining matches,” he said.
They face struggling giants Caps United in the next league match to be played at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
Meanwhile, Herentals will lock horns against Bulawayo Chiefs in the Chibuku Super Cup final to be played at Barborfields stadium in Bulawayo.
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