Mapeza Sets Brave Chippa United Target
New Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza is not really bothered by the club bosses track record of love-hate relationship with coaches and has bravely set his own immediate and “realistic” targets at the Port Elizabeth club.
Mapeza who has firm belief in his ability has ironically relegated his fate to God as he aims to avoid the DOUBLE chop at Chippa United, his own sacking and the club’s relegation.
Mapeza who assumed the mantle at the club that is yet to taste victory and currently positioned rock bottom in the log standings with a paltry 4 points from 8 games indicated that his immediate task is to guide the club to Premier League safety.
“The club is in a difficult position so the best plan is to make sure we survive relegation. That is the main priority‚” hinted Mapeza.
Mapeza faces a tricky assignment in his first game when his charges take on Bloemfontein Celtic in the Telkom Knockout first round on the weekend of October 19 to 22.
Mapeza seemed unfazed and put on a brave face when cornered amid the club’s reputation with men in the dug out and chairman Mpengesi reckless abandon to fire coaches at the slightest hint of provocation about team performance with the club dug out literally translating to the famously touted “hot seat” .
“I will leave everything in God’s hands. I’m sure there is a reason why I am here today. If I was someone I could have just said‚ No, look‚ this team is struggling and they always have coaches sacked after a short while‚ then I could have just stayed in Zimbabwe.”
“Look at the moment where the club is positioned. What do you expect from me? If the chairman had told me that they want to win the league at the end of the season I would have said ‘Look‚ it can never happen’‚” said Mapeza.
Saving Chippa United from the murky waters of relegation is a task Mapeza has faced before but in a different terrain as in 2007 he saved Monomotapa United from relegation exceeding expectations the following season (2008) as the club won the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League title.
It could be a good lucky charm for Chippa United if they can meander their current difficult spell and go on to avoid the dreaded chop as next season they could be in the title equation.
The belief should be, that, “history never ceases to repeat itself” as Mapeza has a health trophy cabinet having won back to back Premiership titles with current Zimbabwean champions FC Platinum (2017 and 2018).
Another plus is that Mapeza has been reunited with the Moyo twins, Kevin and Elvis who were part of the back to back title winning team at FC Platinum.
