PLATINUM POWER PLAY
FC PLATINUM coach, Norman Mapeza, says he is not feeling any pressure to win the Chibuku Super Cup, when they face rivals — Ngezi Platinum Stars — at Mandava on Sunday.
Mapeza will lead the team to their third appearance in the final of the country’s flagship knock-out football tournament.
They have won it once, in 2014 against Harare City.
It’s also the same number their opponents on Sunday, Harare City, have won this tournament.
The two sides were the stand-out clubs during the cluster phase, and knock-out stages, of the tourney. They met twice, in their cluster, with either side winning one game. Mapeza told H-Metro Sport there was no home advantage when it comes to a final.
“Yes, our preparations are still going on, we have to do our final touch-ups tomorrow (today,’’ he said.
“As for now, so far so good. I cannot complain.
“We do not have any injury worries at the moment, but will see what will happen in our last session.
“I do not feel any pressure to win the Cup.
“It’s football, we are just going to take each game as it comes, but in all honesty, I am not under any pressure.’’
Ironically, FC Platinum were beaten by Ngezi Platinum Stars in their last appearance in the Chibuku Super Cup final.
“Yes, we lost in (the final of) our last tournament against this team but I am someone who does not believe in revenge, especially in football,’’ Mapeza said.
“If I am going to use the word revenge, it will be an injustice to myself.
“You do not play football for revenge, you play football to win games, it’s as simple as that.
“As for us playing at home, I do not think there is an advantage, it is not like we will have any edge or whatever.
“If the game was going to be played away from Mandava, it was going to be the same, it is a game of football and what is important is how you prepare for such games, mentally and physically.’’
He also had a special message to their fans.
“To our fans, we will always appreciate their support, their support has been huge to us, they are more than a family,’’ said Mapeza.
“We really acknowledge their massive support, we can only repay their love through winning.”