FOUR FOR MAGICAL MAPEZA
FITTINGLY, the party was at their home as FC Platinum celebrated their record-equalling fourth Castle Lager Premiership title at Mandava on Saturday.
Norman Mapeza has now won FOUR straight league titles with the Zvishavane side.
They thrashed Cranborne Bullets 3-0 at Mandava in their final league match.
They are now on par with Highlanders and Dynamos, but the Zvishavane side achieved the feat quicker than the two fading giants.
FC Platinum were only promoted into the PSL 11 years ago.
However, the celebrations were somewhat muted as less than 2 000 people turned up to witness the coronation of the kings.
FC Platinum have become the password for local footballing excellence, mixing their possession-based identity and consistent standards to devastating effect.
The champions finished the season on a high note after stretching their unbeaten run to 21 games.
They got their goals through the trio of Walter Musona, Panashe Mutimbanyoka and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.
It was Musona’s 14th goal of the season, leaving him just three goals shy of the league’s leading scorer, William Manondo of CAPS United.
Defender Gift Bello has also joined CAPS United veteran midfielder Devon Chafa, as the two players who have won seven titles.
The club’s captain, Petros Mhari, became the first skipper to lift the championship four times on the bounce.
Mhari saw little action in this campaign after suffering a career-threatening injury towards the mid-season break.
He was having a fine season, accumulating seven clean sheets in 13 assignments.
Mhari showered praises to his teammates and labelled the season a memorable one.
“I think I will rate this season as one of the best, if not the best, considering how we won the championship.
“We didn’t start well and we all knew what we had to do to defend the title.
“But, I’m happy with how we turned the corner to retain the title,” said Mhari.
He also spoke about his milestone.
“I want to thank God for all the blessings because it’s not easy to win four league titles.
“It feels good to see people who gave their all winning, and as an individual, I believe I still have a lot to offer and I’m looking to the next season.”
Cranborne Bullets coach, Nesbert Saruchera, said his men will be in a better space to give a good fight next season.
“All I can say is I’m satisfied with this squad. “I have to give them credit for maintaining our Premiership status which was under threat throughout the season.
“We have a youthful squad which I think has gained a lot in this campaign,” said Saruchera.