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In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, the Zifa communications manager Nicky Moyo-Dhlamini confirmed the development.
“I can confirm that the game between FC Platinum and Hwange has since been moved to Mandava Stadium and the teams involved have been notified about these developments. The game will be played on Thursday since Hwange arrive today (yesterday) while Dynamos and Motor Action will clash tomorrow.
“In taking the game to Mandava Stadium, it was considered that there were possibilities of the encounter attracting a bigger crowd in Zvishavane than in Bulawayo since it’s a midweek encounter,” said Moyo-Dhlamini.
FC Platinum and Hwange will be meeting for the second time this season in competitive action having squared off in the Bob 88 Super Cup in February. The platinum miners won that encounter 1-0 to lift the cup which was part of the celebrations to mark President Mugabe’s 88th birthday.
Having lost their battles in the African Safari where FC Platinum were beaten 3-0 in Khartoum by El Merreikh in a Caf Champions League match while Hwange played a goalless draw against Amal Atbara in the Caf Confederations Cup for a 2-1 aggregate score to the Sudanese, both mining teams will be hoping to make it through to the final set for 18 April at the National Sports Stadium.
FC Platinum who are seeking their second piece of silverware will be hoping to cruise past Hwange.
What makes the encounter even more exciting is that both clubs will want to lift the cup and take it to their trophy cabinets.
However, they must expect a tough encounter as the coalminers are known to be hard to beat and if ever they will go down, they will fight to the final whistle.
Maybe what can work in favour of FC Platinum is that unlike them who arrived home on Monday, Hwange only have a day to prepare for the clash.
Former Zim Leopards striker Francisco Zvikumbawire who scored a brace against Dynamos in the semi-final of the Bob 88 Super Cup, veteran Gilbert Zulu and ex-Zimbabwe Saints target man Evans Rusike are expected to lead the coalminers’ strikeforce.
Rodwell Chinyengetere, who scored a brace in Zanzibar against Jamhuri, Castle Lager Premiership Soccer Star of the Year finalist Nkosana “Santsho” Siwela, goalkeeper Petros Mhari, hard tackling Ocean Mpofu, speed merchant Farai Vimisai and Tawanda Mareya are some of Hwange’s key players.
On the other hand FC Platinum are likely to bank on their usual defence of Daniel Vheremu, Gilbert Banda, Qadr Amin and Zephaniah Ngodzo or Norman Togara.
Charles Sibanda is likely to lead their strike force with dribbling wizard Ali Sadiki, Allen Gahadzikwa, Welcome Ndiweni, Joel Ngodzo and Ntokozo Tshuma fighting for places in the midfield.
Online Reporter