He is a gift that keeps giving.
A record-breaking coach whose hunger for success is insatiable.
After helping FC Platinum to a record-equalling fourth straight Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, revered gaffer Norman Mapeza is now eyeing another unique quadruple.
FC Platinum have been champions since 2017 and by that virtue, they have also featured in the Castle Challenge Cup – a match-up between the title winners and Chibuku Super Cup kings.
The Challenge Cup was inaugurated in 2017, with FC Platinum accounting for Harare City 2-1.
Since then, Pure Platinum Play have claimed two more trophies with victories over Triangle in 2018 and Highlanders in 2020.
And Mapeza is now eyeing a quadruple of Castle Challenge Cups.
His side faces Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava on Saturday, for the latest edition of the Challenge Cup.
Bulawayo Chiefs won the 2022 Chibuku Super Cup after edging Herentals 1-0 in a final played before a packed Barbourfields Stadium in November last year.
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Arthur “Diego” Musiyiwa, who is now at Dynamos, was on target for Chiefs.
But, the Bulawayo-based side will not have it easy against an FC Platinum team that has been dominant on the local scene for the past five years.
Mapeza has largely kept an intact squad over the years, making a few touch-ups along the way.
The bulk of players who featured for the Zvishavane miners last season, when FC Platinum won their fourth straight league title, are still at the Midlands-based club.
Soccer Star of the Year winner Walter Musona, Innocent Mucheneka, Juan Mutudza, Lawrence Mhlanga, Kelvin Mangiza, Thando Ngwenya, Panashe Mutimbanyoka and the ageless Gift Bello are still at FC Platinum.
Experienced keepers Petros Mhari and Wallace Magalane as well as underrated box-to-box midfielder Brian “BB” Banda are also still in Zvishavane.
After losing Blessing Moyo and William Stima, FC Platinum recruited Jarrison Selemani and Misheck Ngwenya.
Selemani was on target when Pure Platinum Play beat Masvingo United 2-0 in a friendly match played at Mucheke Stadium on Saturday.
And Mapeza was pleased with what he saw in that match.
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“What was important for us is to see where we are as a club,” he told the media.
“We look forward to our next game against Bulawayo Chiefs. For me, the main concern has been to see how the guys have been performing.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us this coming season,” said Mapeza.
He has won three Coach of the Year awards in 2017, 2018 and 2022.
Mapeza has also played a huge part in FC Platinum’s record equalling four championships.
Only Dynamos (2011-2014) and Highlanders (1999-2022) have won four straight Premier Soccer League titles.
And now, Mapeza is eyeing a fourth straight Castle Challenge Cup. – ZimSeen
