Mapeza slams poor officiating, says his players ‘psychologically abused’

By Onny Gangata at Bata stadium

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza had no kind words for the match officials after his side was held to a one all draw by Telone in a match the former national team captain and coach felt his players were “psychologically abused” by the match officials.

The Zvishavane side needed a win to guarantee themselves a five point cushion at the top of the log standings going into the mid-season break.

Second placed Manica Diamonds had dropped points 24 hours earlier in a nil all draw away to Bulawayo Chiefs.

Pure Platinum Play fortuitously led through an own goal from Telone midfielder, Leo Hofisi.The gangly midfielder put the ball past his own keeper in an attempt to clear his lines five minutes into the match.

FC Platinum looked on course to securing a victory until the 84th minute when referee Thabani Bamala awarded a penalty to Telone penalizing the former league champions for an alleged handling offense inside the box.

Telone defender Malvin Kwinjo levelled matters with a well taken penalty to earn a precious point for the WiFi boys.

Mapeza however, was not amused by how the match officials handled the match.

“I have been talking good about match officials lately but this, it is not good for football, look at his position, where he is, look at the set pieces, it is not good for football,” Mapeza said of the penalty awarded to Telone.

“When you are playing a game of football and some of these decisions go against your team, I will be honest with you the players get affected psychologically,” he added.

“It is like psychological abuse, someone keeps doing something to you and you feel it’s not fair, the guys get affected psychologically. We don’t want that in our football. Let them work for the goals not to give away such goals….I feel for the boys, it’s psychological abuse, it is like a time bomb that is ticking, one day it will go boom! We don’t want that in football.”

The former league champions go to the mid-season break sitting at the apex of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League standings with 35 points, three more than Manica Diamonds who are in second place.

Telone end the first half of the season in the relegation waters in 15th place with 17 points.

WiFi boys coach Hebert Maruwa feels the mid-season break comes at the right time for his side as they need more time to work on their side inorder to escape relegation.

“I am happy with the way we are fighting especially at home, we cannot afford to lose at home. The break is a blessing in disguise, it gives us a chance to refocus and recharge our batteries,” he said.

In Harare, Dynamos got the better of Green Fuel with a slender 1-0 victory.