daniel chigunwe
Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
FC PLATINUM will today learn the identity of their opponents in the CAF Champions League.
The preliminary round draw, for the 2021/2022 Champions League, is set to be conducted in Cairo, Egypt.
The Zvishavane club have been given the greenlight, by the Sports Commission, to start group training, in preparation for their new campaign, on the continent.
Their return to training will be boosted today when they know the identity of the opponents they will meet in the Champions League.
Club spokesperson, Chido Chizondo, told The Herald they putting in place the requirements, demanded by the Sports Commission, to ensure safe resumption.
“We are still preparing to meet the requirements. We will advise on dates of resumption of training,’’ she said.
“Any club that we are going to play is always a reflection of our next step so we don’t mind the teams we will be drawn against.’’
The club have up to Sunday, to register players, with the CAF Central Matching System registration base.
FC Platinum were given the nod by ZIFA, to once again represent the country, basing on their status, as the last club, to win the domestic league championship, in 2019.
The local league championship hasn’t taken off, since FC Platinum beat CAPS United on the final day of the season, two years ago.
Zimbabwe will not be represented, in the CAF Confederation Cup, for the second year running.
The CAF Champions League is scheduled to begin on September 10, with the first round of preliminaries.
The group stages will begin in February next year.
The continent’s top 10 teams are exempted from today’s draw.
They are champions Al Ahly, Zamalek, Espérance, Etoile du Sahel, Morrocan clubs Wydad AC and Raja Casablanca, TP Mazembe, Simba SC, Mamelodi Sundowns and Guinea side Horoya.
FC Platinum, who made their debut in the Champions League in 2012, have also represented Zimbabwe, in the last four consecutive campaigns.
Due to the changes, in the CAF calendar, they have had to play four continental football campaigns, within three years.
Last week, FC Platinum inked a strategic business and development partnership with Spanish La Liga side, Real Betis Balompie
The strategic partnership was put together by local sports agency, Athletes Sphere Management, led by former rugby star, Gerald Sibanda, who has a strong relationship with Real Betis.
“Real Betis Balompié have signed a collaboration agreement with FC Platinum, the main football team in Zimbabwe,’’ the Spanish La Liga club announced, in a statement.
“This partnership will be aimed to common growth by sharing information and methodology.
“The African club will increase their expertise, in fields such as fan engagement; the use of big data; monetisation in social media; youth teams’ management, digital transformation; or new ways of revenue applied to professional football.
“This agreement comes after the strengthening of Real Betis’ presence in Africa following the creation of Betis Academy Zimbabwe.
“FC Platinum are the most powerful team in Zimbabwe in recent years. They have won the last three editions of the Zimbabwe Premier League (2017, 2018 and 2019) and taken part in the CAF Champions League.’’
FC Platinum president, Fabian Mashingaidze, said there was now more to football than just what happens on the pitch.
“Trophies are good, yes, but we need to now speak off the pitch and start speaking of the actual business off football,’’ he said, in a statement.
“Partnerships of this nature are the blueprint for the future of football in Zimbabwe, we need to emulate and improve.
“Our African dream is alive and our future begins now.”
Black Rhinos Queens, who will be taking part in the inaugural CAF Champions League qualifiers, have also been given permission by the Sports Commission, to start training.
The COSAFA Women’s Champions League will take place, from August 26 to September 4, in South Africa
Yesterday, the club were still conducting Covid-19, and other medical tests, before they start training.
The army side are in Group B, along with Green Buffaloes Women of Zambia, and TURA Magic of Namibia.
The group has three teams only while Group A has four.
The two top teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Online Reporter