Chilumba confident ahead of African safari

today expected to arrive in the island of Pemba, off the coast of Zanzibar, where their hosts Jamhuri are based.
Hwange are going back to the jungles of African football after almost two decades’ absence and with the exception of midfielder Farai Vimisayi who had Champions League experience with Dynamos, all the players are new to the continental adventure.
But Chilumba, who had a rewarding career with the Zambia national football team in the 1990s before embarking in coaching, has confidence in his charges.
The youthful coach maintains that they are aiming for a positive result in Zanzibar and then hope to finish off the job at home in a fortnight.
While admitting that playing away from home could be tricky, Chilumba said Hwange should not be worried by the prospect.
“I have been to Zanzibar twice. I was there with the Zambia national team during my playing days in 1992 and was back again in 2003 on club duty. We camped there for a month.
“The weather is more like that of Hwange because sometimes it’s hot and humid and on that part we are okay. It’s very possible in football that results may not go the way you would want but we are preparing hard for a positive result. We are not going there to defend,” he said.
“We have also briefed the players not to look at other issues like the type of accommodation or the treatment we may get from the hosts.
“We are going there to play football and we have to be prepared to play football. I also don’t think that we may be treated badly because they know they will also be coming here in two weeks’ time,” said Chilumba.
Attacking midfielder Rodwell Chinyengetere has been named captain of the side to replace veteran defender Gerald Ndlovu who recently parted ways with the club.
Hwange had a decent preparation for the campaign which included a tour of South Africa where they played practice matches against Absa champions Orlando Pirates and Black Leopards.
They boosted their confidence levels when they dispatched Dynamos 2-1 in the semi-finals of the pre-season Bob ’88 Super Cup.
However they are worried about the fitness levels of the players since they are coming from the off-season break.
“I think we were on 75 percent in terms of fitness looking at the game that we played against Dynamos and in the last two weeks we have insisted on intensity.
“We also ended up lacking concentration in the last 15 minutes or so and that is why we have been emphasising on the word focus,” said Chilumba.
Meanwhile Champions League representatives FC Platinum are expected to leave for Swaziland this morning. Kugona Kunenge Kudada will play Green Mamba in Mbabane on Sunday in the first leg of the preliminary round qualifiers.
Coach Rahman Gumbo announced his squad yesterday with obvious choices like Charles Sibanda, Donald Ngoma, Zephaniah, Thabani Kamusoko, Allen Gahadzikwa, Ali Sadiki and Joel Ngodzo all getting their places.
There was room as well for newboys such as Cabby Kamhapa, Michelle Katsvairo, Hardlife Mavhundi and goalkeeper Francis Tizirai.
Experienced former Dynamos duo of Benjamin Marere and Norman Togara are not part of the travelling party according to the 18-member squad released yesterday.
FC Platinum will travel via Johannesburg and are expected to arrive in Swaziland this evening.
FC Platinum squad:
Tafadzwa Dube, Francis Tizai, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Gilbert Banda, Qadr Amini, Daniel Veremu, Thabani Kamusoko, Joel Ngodzo, Charles Sibanda, Cabby Kamhapa, Allen Gahadzikwa, Hardlife Mavhundi, Welcome Ndiweni, Simon Shoko, Rowen Nenzou, Ali Sadiki, Donald Ngoma, Michelle Katsvairo.