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Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau—
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has predicted a tough Independence Cup as he leads his charges in defence of their title against Dynamos in a repeat of last year’s contest. The platinum miners beat DeMbare in a penalty shootout last year to win the cup under Lloyd Mutasa. This year they have a new technical side led by Mapeza and they are expecting another success story against the same opponents.

Mapeza’s men edged Caps United 6-5 in the semi-finals on Wednesday while Dynamos dismissed bogey side ZPC Kariba 2-0 in another clash. Four teams took part this year.

“I can’t talk of a repeat of last year because many things have changed,” said Mapeza.

“Dynamos have a new coach and new players. The side has been doing so well recently and obviously they wouldn’t want to break the momentum.

“It’s going to be a tough final. That is what all cup games are but the most important thing for us at the moment is that we have managed to book our place in the final. We are fighting for the honours.

“The motivation is already there because we’ve the cup here in our cabinet. What we need is to go out there and fight so that we take it back home.

“But at the end of the day it’s the team that plays well, and also not taking away the element of luck, that wins the game. We should also not forget that this is a match to celebrate our country’s independence, so it must be played in the good spirit of football.”

FC Platinum, however, are looking to rise following a slow start this season. Before the midweek semi-finals they had lost 3-1 at home to Chicken Inn.

Mapeza wants his charges to use the final to get inspiration to turn things around. He rested most of his players against Caps United but tomorrow they are looking to field a stronger side.

“Our games are coming thick and fast. We started the season earlier than any other team and some of the guys have been involved in all the games since we started playing in the Confederation Cup. It’s only fair that we give them rest and at the same time giving others a chance to play,” said Mapeza.

FC Platinum beat Dynamos in a penalty shootout last year to lift the Uhuru Cup, thanks to Wisdom Mutasa’s last gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw to take the game to the penalty shootout. The platinum miners went on to win the tie-break 3-0.

In fact Mapeza’s men will be hunting for their third Independence Cup silverware. They also won the Uhuru Cup in 2012 when they beat Motor Action through another penalty shootout lottery after the match had ended in a 1-1 deadlock.

Dynamos also rested the bulk of their team against ZPC Kariba but they still managed to pull out a good result with goals from defenders Blessing Moyo and Obey Mwerahari. The Glamour Boys are yet to taste defeat since the season began and they will be looking to maintain their good run.

The third place play-off between ZPC Kariba and Caps United will take place at White City in Bulawayo. The Premier Soccer League have suspended league matches this weekend to honour the Independence celebrations. Action resumes next Wednesday with FC Platinum returning to Harare for their rescheduled match against Harare City.

The match could not take place when the rest of Week Four fixtures were played last week because of their involvement in the Confederation Cup.

The league bosses have also slotted in ZPC Kariba and Chapungu to fulfil a match that was abandoned due to incessant rains in Gweru two weeks ago. The teams will clash at Ascot on Wednesday.