Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
FC PLATINUM have lined-up friendlies against Zambian and Mozambican teams as part of their preparations for the preliminary round encounter against Angolan side Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto in the Total Caf Champions league campaign next month.
The Zvishavane side have set up a training base in Bulawayo to fine-tune and also bond with new recruits, who include Cameroonian and Zambian strikers Albert Eonde and Shadreck Mayembe respectively.
“We expect confirmation of the friendlies anytime from Zambian and Mozambican clubs. We will obviously have training friendlies with local sides as well,” said FC Platinum media liaison and communications manager Chido Chizondo.
On the player wrangle involving Liberty Chakoroma and Lawrence Mhlanga whose respective sides Ngezi Platimum Stars and Chicken Inn have said they will not be cleared, Chizondo said they will stand guided by coach Norman Mapeza.
She said they hoped the issue will be resolved before the January 15 Caf deadline for submission of the Champions League squad.
“The squad we submitted to Caf was a wish-list, as you know that the final line-up must be confirmed by January 15. The coach might need to bring in one or two players, but if he is content with the players he has, so be it. Let’s just wait and see what happens until the end of the week,” Chizondo said.
Chicken Inn has threatened to write to Caf and the Angolan football federation protesting the registration of Mhlanga while Chakoroma has reportedly signed a contract extension with Ngezi Platinum.
“First, let me clarify that we signed Chakoroma for two seasons according to the contract that we have with him. Based on the player’s performance last season, the team and its management feel that they still need his services,” said Ngezi Platinum coach Tonderayi Ndiraya.
Asked about FC Platinum’s interest in the player as well as the player’s desire to move to the Zvishavane-based side, Ndiraya said: “I am told that they (FC Platinum) wrote an official request to have the player but we rejected it. There is an improved offer for him. It is also important to note that the improved offer does not only apply to Chakoroma but a number of other players that include Ticha Mabvura, Qadr Amini, Godknows Murwira, Walter Mkanga and two junior players that recently graduated to the senior team as well as Tatenda Muchisa and Malvern Kwinjo, among many others.”
FC Platinum Total Caf Champions League provisional list
Goal Keepers: Petros Mhari, Wallace Magalane, Francis Tizayi
Defenders: Raphael Muduviwa, Jameson Mukombwe, Elvis Moyo, Kelvin Moyo, William Sitima, Gift Bello, Lawrence Mhlanga
Midfielders: Winston Mhango, Nqobizitha Masuku, Never Tigere, Kelvin Madzongwe, Marshall Mudehwe, Hillary Bakacheza, Rahman Kutsanzira, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Bret Amidu, Ali Sadiki, Liberty Chakoroma
Strikers: Mkhokheli Dube, Gift Mbweti, Albert Eonde, Shadreck Mayembe, Nigel Papias, Charles Sibanda.
@skhumoyo2000
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