IS Norman Mapeza’s job still safe at FC Platinum?

That’s the talking point after Pure Platinum Play bowed out of the Caf Champions League in embarrassing fashion on Wednesday.

The Zimbabwean champions were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Angolan side Desportivo Primero de Agosto.

FC Platinum lost 0-3 in Luanda before falling again 2-1 at Mandava on Wednesday.

Mapeza’s bosses wanted him to reach at least the group stages of the Champions League but some atrocious defending cost the Zvishavane side as they once again failed to clear the first hurdle.

In 2012, FC Platinum bowed out of the Champions League in the preliminary round.

And FC Platinum chairman Evans Mtombeni is a disappointed man.

“It is disappointing that we are out, our objectives were clear and as a club we have always made our objectives clear,” said Mtombeni.

“In terms of Caf Champions League, we wanted to push, at least to the group stages.”

Indications though are that the FC Platinum hierarchy still has faith in Mapeza who led the club to their first ever league title last season.

“I think they (technical team) still have a lot to offer to the club in terms of the other objectives we have. Obviously this year we want to defend our title and win the other cup competitions that we have in the country,” Mtombeni told The Herald.

He added: “Definitely the coaches are here and we expect them to give us more and these lessons from the Caf Champions league should help them achieve more.”