Warriors coaches clash in Platinum derby’

WHEN reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Champions Ngezi Platinum Stars face perennial rivals and former champions, F.C Platinum at Baobab Stadium today, it will be more than just a game of football.

At the 13th edition of the Platinum derby, the mining rivals will be battling for pride, more than anything else.

The epic fixture comes when FC Platinum are fresh from bagging maximum points when they overpowered PSL new kids Chegutu Pirates 1-0 at Mandava last week.

Ngezi on the other hand have drawn their opener, a goalless stalemate against debutants Arenel Movers at Luveve, Bulawayo.

And both sides meet a bigger test today in what the two sides agree will be a battle for pride and bragging rights.

“There is pride at stake here,” said F.C Platinum Head Coach Norman Mapeza.

“It is not going to be an easy outing, we need to go there and play our normal game, try to get a positive result and move on.”

All in all, the two teams have clashed 12 times in the league since 2016 with FC Platinum winning five of them and Ngezi taking four, while the other three contests ended in draws.

Precisely last season, Ngezi Platinum Stars won 2-0 at home in the first round of the season before falling 1-0 away in Mandava in the return leg before they eventually went on to win the championship.

And FC Platinum note that this will not be an easy assignment for them.

“It is going to be a difficult game, they are the reigning champions so it cannot be easy,” Mapeza said.

“This is a big one; they will be at their home ground but it is a game of football so we have done our homework to see how they have been doing and find ways to get around them.”

Interestingly the two coaches will also be uniting for national duty tomorrow with Mapeza recently appointed interim head coach for the national team.

He will be assisted by Ngezi Platinum Stars Gaffer Take Sure Chiragwi as they take the Warriors to the Four Nations Tournament to be held in Lilongwe, Malawi between March 18-26.

The tournament will feature the hosts, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

And today’s battle will also be a taste of character for the heavyweights who after plotting against each other in the dugout will be expected to cast aside their rivalry and unite for national cause.

“At the end of the day it is football, it is all about mental strength,” said Mapeza.

“For the team, the message has been, let us go again with a positive mind, let us go with the same desire that I have seen in training and I hope everything goes well.

“From what I have seen, the boys are mentally fine, the desire and the hunger is there and everything looks well.”

The former champions will be without midfielder Juan Mutudza and trusted striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.

Ngwenya, a regular starter has been ruled out for four weeks owing to a right leg fracture he picked in their season opener.

Mutudza who scored their winning goal in the opening game lost his brother Denzel is away for family bereavement. However, Mapeza is unfazed. “Everything has been going on well, after picking maximum points in our first game, the boys are pushing to maintain.

“The hunger, desire is there. Let’s hope we will do our best.

“Thando is out, we all saw what happened last weekend, we thought it was a minor knock but later learnt that it is a fracture so he will be out for four weeks.

“Mutudza lost his brother, he is in Harare, I went there to pay my last respects, the club did and we wish the Mutudza family well. Coming to our fans, there is a bond now, they are behind us every time and we are grateful, we will do well to make them happy.

“We strive to do well every day and when things do not go well, we also have to reflect and say, this was not our day.”

Chiragwi is hoping to see the reigning Castle Challenge Cup winners throwing in the heavy punches against the former champions.

His side boasts of reigning Soccer Star Qadr Amini and Golden Boot winner Takunda Benhura.

And together with Defender Kudzai Chigwida, who gave a solid display in Ngezi Platinum’s draw against Arenel Movers, the trio are expected to win maximum points for Madamburo.

“I am hoping to see an improved performance,” said Chiragwi.

“We identified some areas which we have been working on, we need to play well against FC Platinum. They are good and they have started their season well.”

Chiragwi said Ngezi are out to redeem themselves in front of their fans.

“We have been telling the boys to focus and retain maximum concentration in the game, we need to throw the right punches.”