FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza says he is not reading much into his side trouncing former cup kings Caps United 6-0 in the ZNA Charities final at Mandava Stadium last Saturday.
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The Green Machine head back to Mandava, which is likely to be packed to the rafters tomorrow, this time in a quarter-final tie of the Chibuku Super Cup at the same venue against the platinum miners.
That match will be played after Harare City battle with Chiredzi in another quarter-final match at the same venue, starting at 1pm.
Mapeza trounced Bantu Rovers 3-0 in first round of the tournament at Mandava on his first assignment after taking over from Lloyd Mutasa on August 16.
“It’s not going to be easy. We don’t want to read into what happened last week. It’s now water under the bridge and we are taking this match very seriously. The ambition is there to go all the way in the tournament, but we leave it in God’s hands. So far everything is good and 95% of the players are in good health, but we will know by tomorrow (today), if everyone will be okay as some players might pick up knocks at training,” the former Warriors gaffer said.
Qadr Amin, Ashley Mukwena and Zambian Aaron Katebe buried Bantu Rovers in the first round and some of the players that Mapeza will look forward to tomorrow are Allen Gahadzikwa, Mitchelle Katsvairo and Thabani Kamusoko as he eyes advancing to the semi-finals of tournament whose winners will pocket $75 000.
All has not been well financially at Caps United but coach Taurai Mangwiro is hopeful his side will make it to the next stage.
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“We have been training since Tuesday and the preparations are going on well despite our challenges off the field of play. After the 0-6 drubbing last week, we are challenging ourselves to get a positive result on Saturday (tomorrow) and advance to the next stage,” Mangwiro said.
Caps United would be without Moses Muchenje and David Chipala who are nursing injuries. Harare City coach Masimba Dinyero, who has enjoyed a good vein of form since joining the Sunshine City Boys said he looked forward to getting to the final of the Chibuku Super Cup.
“We are not taking this game lightly and our aim is to be in the final. All we have to do is to approach the game with a positive mind as morale is very high in camp,” Dinyero said.
He will face struggling Chiredzi who booked a place after beating Buffaloes 4-3 in the first round. Chiredzi could brew another shocker which will work well for their coffers.
Fixtures: Tomorrow: Chiredzi v Harare City (Mandava 1pm SS), FC Platinum v Caps United (Mandava 3pm SS)
Sunday: How Mine v Highlanders (Hartsfield 3pm SS)
Monday: Black Rhinos v Triangle (Ascot 3pm SS)
