Mapeza remains grounded

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Norman Mapeza

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza remains grounded despite his team staring at their fourth league title on the trot.

The miners can clinch the title with wins against Herentals and Caps United in their next two matches as the six points would take their tally to an unassailable 70 points.

Despite a 10-point lead over second-placed Chicken Inn, Mapeza said he was focused on keeping his players grounded and working hard to win their next matches.

FC Platinum are on 64 points after beating Highlanders 3-2 at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday and Chicken Inn are on 54 points. The GameCocks can only reach 69 points if they win their remaining five games.

Third-placed Dynamos are on 53 points and can only reach 68 if they also win all their remaining games.

After beating Highlanders on Sunday, Mapeza refused to be drawn into making comments about the league title despite his rivals throwing in the towel.

“Not yet! Maybe for you guys, but for me it’s a no! It is still work in progress. There are still five games to go and we are not thinking much about our position on the log now. We are thinking much about maintaining our rhythm and keep getting positive results. If I am going to work according to what people are thinking; I will lose it. I have to work and it is about working hard and see how the season ends in the last five minutes,” Mapeza said.

They will play Herentals at home next week, with this weekend reserved for the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals.

FC Platinum last lost a game in the league against Herentals in Harare, one of the three defeats that they have suffered in 28 games, losing the other two to Ngezi Platinum Stars at Bulawayo Chiefs.

Chicken Inn’s next two games are against Highlanders and Herentals.

The GameCocks crushed Bulawayo City 3-0 at BF on Saturday.

After beating Manica Diamonds on Sunday, Dynamos will be back home in their next game against struggling WhaWha before making a trip to the City of Kings for a date with Bulawayo City, who are also not safe from relegation.

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