FC Platinum raring to go

Paul Mundandi Zvishavane Sport Correspondent
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has promised war in Tanzania on Sunday when his charges meet Young Africans at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The match is scheduled for 3pm local time.

“It’s going to be war. It’s war. To me each and every game is war. Even when I play a friendly, it’s war.

“We aren’t going to play in a relaxed mood. We aren’t playing the game against ourselves,” said the coach.

“Our preparations have gone so well and we can’t complain as we’re just waiting for the game. We’ve done very well and we’re just waiting for the game.”

Two weeks ago Kenyan side, Sofapaka took an early lead in Zvishavane but Mapeza’s men fought hard and scored two goals. Had it not been for missed chances, FC Platinum could have scored half a dozen goals.

Midfield ace Wisdom Mutasa is in a class of his own and has been combining well with his friend and teammate Walter Musona. Add a seasoned fighter Thabani Kamusoko and Wellington Kamudyariwa to the equation, the supply of clean balls upfront could even be greater.

Young Tatenda Dzumbunu is expected to battle for a place with Allan Gahadzikwa.

Donald Ngoma is a big striker who has pace and each time he plays alongside Brian Muzondiwa and Zambia Under-20 international Obrey Chirwa, a number of teams have struggled to contain them.

Petros Mhari has also done well in guarding the goalposts so is likely to get the nod ahead of former Masvingo goalminder Francis Tizayi.

Former Dynamos son Gift Bello is, as usual, expected to marshal the defence. He will be assisted by the Moyo twins Kelvin and Elvis. Another youngster Raphael Muduviwa is expected to be operating from the right.

“We’re going to a place where we don’t know how the team (Young Africans) play. I gathered some information on the team. I heard that technically they’re a good side but physically they’re not all that threatening but are very quick from midfield going forward.

“We need to be smart and cautious and try to come back home with a positive result,” said Mapeza.

He was however quick to dismiss history after being reminded that Highlanders lost heavily to the same team a few years ago.

“The team isn’t going to play Norman Mapeza but FC Platinum and about Highlanders that’s now history. If we do that we’ll not move forward in life, we’ll not be successful in everything we do in life, this is a new chapter altogether,” he said.

Mapeza has reported a clean bill of health in his squad.

“There isn’t going to be major changes in the team, we’re going to use the same players that we used against Sofapaka. There might be some changes here and there but the team remains the same,” said Mapeza.

Formed in 1935, Young Africans are one of the biggest teams in East Africa with a large following in Tanzania and they normally attract 80,000 fans to their home games.

They have won the league cup 24 times since 1968 and have made nine appearances in the Champions League and three in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Coached by Hans Van De Pluijm, the side has five foreigners including a Brazilian Andrey Coutinho.

Meanwhile, FC Platinum supporters have organised a 45-seater bus that will leave Zimbabwe for Tanzania today arriving in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

The team leaves tomorrow.