Mapeza sticks to his guns

14 May, 2017 - 00:05 0 Views
Mapeza sticks to his guns Norman Mapeza

The Sunday Mail

Sports Reporter
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FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza has revealed why new boy Brett Amidu is getting limited game time.

Speaking to SuperSport after a goalless Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match with How Mine at Barbourfields yesterday, Mapeza described the midfielder as work in progress. “He is a brilliant player, extremely talented, but we are still working with him in terms of his defensive work,” said the Pure Platinum Play coach, reiterating he would not be pressured into playing Amidu.

“I don’t usually listen to what the social media does or what (the) media is going to write about any of my players. I am not going to be pushed to make decisions that are going to cost us at the end of the day,” he said.

Amidu’s manager George Deda last week threatened to move from FC Platinum in the midseason transfer window because he was not getting much game time.

Despite Amidu, who only played 15 minutes yesterday, dominating much of Mapeza’s post-match comments this game was all about the visitors fluffing fine chances.

Rodwell Chinyengetere missed a second half penalty while Gift Mbweti failed to finish off easy chances. FC Platinum have found the net six times in seven matches and half of those goals have come from the spot.

Despite the share of the spoils and climbing to second on the log table, How Mine coach Kelvin Kaindu was not too pleased. “I think coming out with a point for us is not very good. We didn’t play our game well. The penalty was the only chance that they got,” he said.

Munyaradzi Diya, who capped a fine show with the penalty save, should be fancying his chances of getting the nod again ahead of Bernard Donovan when How Mine visit Triangle in their next match.

Meanwhile, in the second game at Barbourfields Black Rhinos walked away maximum points, courtesy of a 1-nil win over Bulawayo City.

After a dull opening half Black Rhinos goalkeeper Herbert Rusawu stepped up to covert from the spot, in the 48th minute following Morris Kadzola’s foul on  Benjamin Marere inside the box.

Rhinos coach Stanford ‘Stix’ Mutizwa was a happy man at the sound of referee Nomore Musundire’s final whistle. “Last week we played an away game at Triangle and drew, and for us to travel again, to Bulawayo, and win is quite pleasing.

“At this point in time, we want to collect as many points as possible, as it is going to get tougher as the season unfolds. The second half of the season is going be hard and the trick is to collect as many points as possible,’ he said.

His opposite number, Mandla Mpofu, refused to blame his players.  “It’s unfortunate that we lost and we are not happy about that,” said Mpofu “But I think my boys played well, dominated the first half, played with a lot of confidence and just failed to create and score chances.

“That said, we are going back to the drawing board, work harder and plan for the next game,” he said.

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