FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza has revealed that they are likely to face troubled Caps United with a depleted squad, as some of his key players could be out due to injury and a flu bug.
Last week, goalie David Bizabani was withdrawn in the first minute due to a head injury.
Panashe Mutimbanyoka also suffered an injury in the match against Herentals.
As such, the veteran coach is taking a cautious approach, admitting Caps United remain dangerous despite their recent stuttering form.
The two sides lock horns at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow in this weekend’s headline fixture.
What makes this one more exciting is how the two teams have fared so far as well as their storied history.
They have had contrasting fortunes, with Platinum cruising nicely at the top of the log standings with 42 points after 21 rounds of fixtures.
Caps United, on the other hand, have been a pale shadow of themselves, with 24 points on their tally.
- FC Platinum reach Chibuku Cup last eight
- Inside sport: The right way to do it
- FC Platinum 8 points clear as Chicken Inn falters again
- FC Platinum move six points clear
Keep Reading
They are winless in their last five outings, a feat that has seen them drop to 13th position, just four points ahead of TelOne, who occupy the last relegation slot.
The Green Machine last collected maximum points on June 23 when they beat Chegutu Pirates 2-1.
Meanwhile, their latest match ended in a two-nil defeat to Arenel Movers.
But as they struggle, Mapeza said it would be suicidal to write them off, hence his choice of taking a cautious approach.
“It is very difficult to play a struggling team. If you look at our match against Chicken Inn, they were not winning of late,” the platinum miners gaffer said.
“And when we played them, they won. So I know exactly what happens in this league. That is why I am saying this will not be an easy game for us.
“We are really depleted. We have guys who are injured, some who have not been not feeling well for the whole week.”
He said for the past three games against Ngezi Platinum, Chicken Inn and Herentals, they had not had a full squad.
“Again when we go to Harare, it is the same story, but we have to play the games. It is all about mental strength.
“Caps United have not been doing well in the previous games. But this is a game that I think will be different and it is going to be difficult,” Mapeza said.
“Of course, we have set objectives as a club and we are just hoping to continue from where we left against Herentals.
“If you look at our performance in the first half, it was brilliant. In the second half, it was much to do with defending, which I think we did very well.
“I hope we will put everything on Sunday. The league is a marathon and all we need is to focus our road and the remaining matches.”
