FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza says their season opener against Simba Bhora will be a good measure of their pedigree as they plunge into the 2025 season.
The platinum miners are set to kick off their season with an away date with the reigning Premier Soccer League champions at Wadzanai Stadium tomorrow.
The 2024 bridesmaids have quietly done their business building up to this season, having lost several players that include defender Rainsome Pavari, Lawrence Mhlanga, Juan Mutudza and Panashe Mutimbanyoka.
Nevertheless, Mapeza is confident of upscaling their title bid in a season that is likely to be riveting from the onset.
They signed Malawians Nickson Nyasulu and Precious Phiri from Nyasa Big Bullets, Vincent Nyanguli from Might Wanderers of Malawi.
They also roped in the services Cory Black from Blanket Mine, Thubelihle Jubane from Sheasham FC, James Nguluve from Green Fuel FC and Claivert Tshuma from Hwange FC.
Addressing a Press conference in Zvishavane yetserday, Mapeza said: “We are playing a very good team, we had an opportunity to watch them on Saturday against Dynamos.
“You can’t even tell the difference between the Simba of last season and this one, they are the same. From what I saw, they are an organised team that is very solid at the back and they keep possession.
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“What is important now for us is the mentality, whereby we tell ourselves that we are going to do well, and that we do well. Now we need to gel as much as we can because the season is starting. If we go there and not get points, it will not determine the season.
“They are having the same mentality like us, to try and win. It’s going to be tough. The first games of the season are key and as a coach, I will be hoping to get maximum points.”
Added Mapeza: “These guys need to adapt. They are new here, Pavari [Ransom] is no longer here, Lawrence [Mhlanga], Mutimbanyoka [Panashe], Mutudza [Juan] and Kelvin [Mangiza], (they are all) no longer here, so we are hoping these (new) guys are fit and adapt as soon as they can.
“They need time to understand how many things are done here and how football is being played in Zimbabwe.”
Last season, FC Platinum were the only team that completed a double over Simba Bhora, then under the guidance of Tonderai Ndiraya, who has since crossed over to newly promoted Scottland.
He took with him some of the key players from last season and now under Joel Luphahla, Simba have had to rebuild.
