Mapeza completes FC Platinum move

Sport
FORMER Warriors coach Norman Mapeza has taken over as the new FC Platinum head coach after Lloyd Mutasa quit the club last week.

FORMER Warriors coach Norman Mapeza has taken over as the new FC Platinum head coach after Lloyd Mutasa quit the club last week.

Sukoluhle Mthethwa Sports Reporter

The club had announced that Patrick Mandizha would be caretaker coach. He was in charge of Saturday‘s 2-1 victory over struggling Bulawayo side How Mine in Zvishavane.

Mapeza becomes the eighth coach to be in charge of FC Platinum since they started their dance in the top-flight league in 2011.

The late Benjamin Moyo, Philani Mabhena, Mandizha, Rahman Gumbo, Tendai Chikuni, Tennant Chilumba and Mutasa are their former coaches.

FC Platinum media liaison officer Chido Chizondo confirmed the appointment of Mapeza on the team’s official Twitter account.

“FC Platinum Football club has appointed with immediate effect Norman Mapeza as its head coach following the departure of Loyd Mutasa, who left the club on Thursday, 7 August 2014 following less impressive showing in the first half of the year.

“In his announcement of the appointment club president George Mawere says Mapeza joins the club to build on the work done by Mutasa who excelled at developing FC Platinum junior development policy and is highly credited for enhancing the entertaining brand of play by the team,” she said.

Mawere added that contrary to speculation: “Mapeza joins the coaching department not because of any other motive, but rather a mutual interest to work with the club structures to deepen professionalism and model the team into a competitive outfit.

“He is a goal driven individual with experience at European, African and national team levels. He has played in Poland, Turkey and South Africa and coached Caps United and Monomotapa during the year they won the Premier League championiship,” he said.

Mawere said the club’s executive and management has appealed to fans and stakeholders to support the new coach as he settles down in Zvishavane and seeks to guide the club to glory in both the Premier League and various cup competitions.

Mapeza’s inaugural game at Mandava Stadium would be the Chibuku Supa Cup tie against Bantu Rovers on Saturday.

Mutasa resigned from FC Platinum after managing 25 points from 18 matches this season.

Some Platinum fans were reportedly baying for Mutasa’s blood soon after the goalless draw against fellow Midlands side Chapungu at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.

Soon after the One Wallet quarter-final 0-1 loss to Chicken Inn on July 18, some FC Platinum fans were seen milling around the stadium saying they wanted to “deal” with Mutasa because the results had not been going in their favour.

However, the FC Platinum technical team was forced to make technical changes following injuries to key players Donald Ngoma, Daniel Vheremu and Nelson Mazivisa.