By Kuchineyi Lewis
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza admitted to a “huge relief” after his side edged TelOne 1-0 at Bata Stadium on Saturday, not only ending their run of four consecutive draws but also handing the WiFi Boys their first home defeat of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
A second-half goal proved decisive in a tense affair where both teams struggled to convert their chances.
The win marked FC Platinum’s first victory in five matches and offers a timely confidence boost heading into the international break.
“It’s a huge relief. Where we were sitting, we were either going to win or lose, but we just had so many draws.
“But it’s all about believing. We need to keep believing,” Mapeza confessed in his post-match interview.
FC Platinum looked the more purposeful side from the onset, creating early opportunities but failing to convert.
The story mirrored their recent form, where dominance in possession and chances didn’t translate into wins. However, Mapeza’s men finally broke the deadlock in the second half and managed to hold firm against a spirited TelOne response.
“In the second half, we came a little bit stronger,” Mapeza noted. “We managed to get that goal. We kept pushing… I’m happy for the boys. It’s been so hard, but at least now we go into the break with something to smile about.”
The victory wasn’t without tension, as TelOne, who had enjoyed an unbeaten home run up to this point, tried to fight back. Their coach, Hebert Marowa, expressed disappointment but remained optimistic.
“We tried to get a goal, but it wasn’t our day. We conceded a soft goal, but I’m happy with the way we responded after we conceded.
“Going forward, we need to go back to the drawing board and rectify our shortcomings,” Marowa said.
The loss serves as a wake-up call for TelOne, who had turned their home ground into a fortress this season.
Yet despite the setback, their tactical discipline and attacking intent suggest they will remain a threat in the league’s second half.
For Mapeza and FC Platinum, however, the win is more than just three points—it’s a psychological breakthrough.
“We’ve been creating opportunities, but we just needed to be patient and improve our decision-making in the final third.
“The boys worked so hard, especially in the second half with the wind. We looked very organised defensively,” Mapeza reflected.
The focus now shifts to FC Platinum’s next home fixture against ZPC Kariba after the international break, a match that could further reshape their campaign momentum and TelOne seeks redemption away to Greenfuel FC.
