The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
NORMAN MAPEZA was 45 years old when FC Platinum last lost a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match to CAPS United.
Two first-half goals by Dominic Chungwa and Stephen Makatuka cancelled out an early strike by Charles Sibanda to earn then-defending champions Makepekepe a 2-1 triumph at Rufaro Stadium on August 16, 2017.
Mapeza turned 51 on Wednesday, but the celebrations were short-lived as the Platinum family were plunged into mourning the following day, when Platinum Queens player Sibekezelo Ncube collapsed and died on the court during a netball training session.
It has been a week of mixed emotions for the serial championship-winning coach, who is now hoping for a victory against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
Six years have passed since FC Platinum fell to CAPS United in a Premiership clash.
When the Zvishavane miners lost the match to Makepekepe, they started with Petros Mhari, Raphael Muduviwa, Elvis Moyo, Ian Nekati, Winston Mhango, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Nqobizitha Masuku, Ali Sadiki, Mkokheli Dube and Charles Sibanda.
Only Mhari, who is now the second-choice goalkeeper, and injury-plagued right-back Muduviwa are still with the club.
FC Platinum have been expertly refreshing their team each season, resulting in their four-year dominance of the league.
They have been champions since 2017 and are now chasing an unprecedented fifth straight league title, which will surpass feats by Highlanders (1999 – 2002) and Dynamos (2011 – 2014).
The miners are also aware that each and every game they play this season will be a step towards achieving what no other Premiership team have managed before — five league titles on the bounce.
Such has been FC Platinum’s dominance that they are now being labelled the Mamelodi Sundowns of Zimbabwe.
Sundowns, who are oiled by South African business mogul Patrice Motsepe, have won the South African Premiership title in the last six seasons.
Eight of their 13 league championships have been won since 2013.
The comparison with Mamelodi Sundowns might be flattering but FC Platinum have to focus on the job at hand today.
With nine points from four matches, Mapeza’s men could dethrone CAPS United at the top of the log with a win.
Makepekepe, who are yet to lose and concede this season, have 10 points from three wins and a draw.
So far this season, the champions have three wins against Simba Bhora, Cranborne Bullets and Bulawayo Chiefs and a loss to Highlanders.
However, in their identical 2-1 wins against Simba Bhora and Bulawayo Chiefs, they showed character when digging deep to come from behind.
Their nine-year dominance over Highlanders ended two weeks ago, when they fell 2-1 at Barbourfields.
Maybe today, it could be CAPS United’s turn to also break their own six-year jinx.
Perhaps, it is easier said than done, as FC Platinum have declared that they want to win today and dedicate the victory to the late Ncube.
“I think it hasn’t been easy for us. Yesterday (Thursday), we heard the news that one of our own sisters from the Platinum Queens had passed away.
“We are still trying to cope with the situation,” Mapeza said.
FC Platinum and CAPS have clashed 20 times in the league since FC Platinum were promoted in 2011.
CAPS United have five wins, FC Platinum have three and the other 12 encounters ended in stalemates.
Twitter: @LangtonGuraz
