Former Chippa United tactican stops ex-Mourinho’s assistant

A former Chippa United tactician became the first to hand Jose Mourinho’s ex-assistant Baltermar Brito a defeat in the 2023 Zimbabwe PSL season.

Baltermar Brito had a memorable run in Zimbabwe’s PSL until Saturday when his team, Highlanders FC, succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of FC Platinum.

The four-time Zimbabwean champions, FC Platinum are coached by former Chippa United tactician Norman Mapeza.

Despite struggling to maintain a strong title defence this season, FC Platinum were classic as they ended Highlanders’ unbeaten run.

Highlanders had gone for 19 matches unbeaten. It was former Polokwane City star Walter Musona who menaced them in what turned out to be a forgettable outing.

Musona created the first goal and then scored the second one, which all but sealed the much-needed win.

WHAT EX-MOURINHO’S ASSISTANT SAID AFTER LOSING TO NORMAN MAPEZA

And Baltermar Brito conceded his men’s shortcomings but declared that they will be unbeaten for the next 20 matches.

“This is our first defeat after 20 matches. No one expected us to be on top of the league,” said Brito.

“We can’t forget what they have done in the last games. This was not our day. We were lethargic, and we lacked the character to win.

“This happens, but ahead of round 21, we remain on the top of the PSL. We will fight to make another 20 games unbeaten run and to remain on top.

“They [FC Platinum] had the motivation to beat us. Everyone knows FC Platinum is not a normal team. What is not normal is that they are not on top.

“It should be more expected that they should be on top. The fact that we are on top at the moment should be recognised.”

As it stands, 14 rounds of fixtures remain before the Zimbabwean PSL season ends.

And it remains to be seen if Baltermar Brito will ensure his team hold fort until at the top of the log standings.

They have 41 points on their tally, two points ahead of their closest rivals Ngezi Platinum.

RELATED STORY: How ex-Mourinho’s assistant is turning Highlanders into invincibles