Mapeza wants everything in Zvishavane

FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza, who is still basking in the glory of winning the 2017 League Championship, says he also wants to win the inaugural Castle Challenge Cup when his side faces Harare City at Mandava this afternoon.

The game, which marks the end of the domestic football season, has been billed as part of the PSL’s Silver Jubilee celebrations and pits the winners of this season’s League title and the Chibuku Super Cup.

Mapeza said although his team has fared better than their rivals in previous Cup games, he was not taking anything for granted.

“Our preparations for this match have gone well. We want to win this match so that the Cup remains here in Zvishavane.

“I won’t say this will be an easy match because football matches are not about previous statistics. Obviously, they prepared for this match so that they can win the Cup.

“But my wish is one - that we win and we keep this Cup here in Zvishavane because it’s highly unlikely that this Cup competition will be held next year,” said Mapeza.

He added that since the people of Zvishavane were happy following the team’s winning of the PSL championship, he would want that same happy mood to continue as they want to win the Castle Lager Challenge Cup this afternoon.

“We know right now the fans are happy, the people of Zvishavane are happy so we want that mood to continue and we are calling upon them to come and support us.

‘‘I really want to pay tribute to the people in the Midlands, especially those here in Zvishavane,” said Mapeza.

Mapeza added that the cancellation of the Warriors’ participation at CECAFA Cup also means that all this players will be available for today’s selection against the Sunshine Boys.

He said he felt his players would have gained international exposure by playing the CECAFA Cup.

“I was happy for my players who had been called up and I would have loved to see them playing in that competition. There is no doubt players will gain international football experience at such tournaments and it would have added another dimension to our players, especially considering that we will be playing in the Champions League next season,” said Mapeza.

Next year’s run in the CAF Champions League will be Mapeza’s debut as coach in Africa’s premier inter-club competition while it would be the club’s second.