FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza thinks he has found the perfect replacement for Walter Musona in former Hwange marksman Gift Mbweti.

Mapeza had high praises for last year’s Golden Boot runner up who he tips for glory with the championship contenders this year.

Mbweti featured for the platinum miners in his first competitive game on Sunday when they beat Dynamos 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium. 

The Soccer Star of the Year finalist appears to have fitted into the team well and was a menace to the home team when in attack although he couldn’t cap the afternoon with a goal.

Instead it was Winston Mhango who grabbed the priceless goal that handed the visitors maximum points from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time in a tightly contested match.

But Mapeza was convinced with what he saw from Mbweti, who finished the season with nine goals last year, two behind Golden Boot winner Leonard Tsipa. 

“He is fantastic, he did well and I think he made a massive contribution to the club. I think you saw that he brought another dimension to the team. I think he is good replacement for Walter Musona,” said Mapeza. 

Musona has moved to South Africa where he is now playing for Polokwane City. Mapeza however was brutally critical with the other new signing Talent Chawapihwa who featured as a second half substitute.

“I wasn’t happy with Talent. I think he was getting lost. What we told him when he came in that’s not what he was doing. I wants happy with him but he’ll learn. He is still young, we need to help him, he will get better,” said Mapeza.

For the past four seasons, they have been involved among the top four contenders finishing fourth in 2013 and 2014, third in 2015 and second in 2016.

So could this be their year? For Mapeza, it is still early to talk about the championship but what is clear to him is that the platinum miners are ready to compete for big things this season.

They have clear targets to improve from last year when they finished as runners up to CAPS United after having had a big say in the race.   

“Each and every club, each and every coach has some set objectives but it’s too early now to talk about the objectives. 

“But it’s clear to everybody that anybody who is competing in the league wants to win the league. No one wants to be relegated. As usual we are here to compete and we will see as the season progresses,” said Mapeza.