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Mukudzei Chingwere in Zvishavane
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Ferroviario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza believes he has assembled a good team that will represent the country with pride in this year’s Total Caf Champions League.
Zimbabwean teams have usually struggled in continental competitions save for a few exceptions when they reach the group stages.
Yesterday FC Platinum played their first international friendly against a Mozambican team Ferroviario who reached the group stages of African’s premier club competition last year.
Although it is still early days yet to talk of their form going into the Champions League their performance yesterday gives their supporters hope. New players Rahman Kutsanzira, Never Tigere, Kelvin Madzongwe and Jameson Mukombwe were given a run at Mandava but it was Tigere who proved that the Zvishavane-based side made a good investment.
Foreign forwards Shadreck Mayembe and Albert Eyonde, both from Zambia did not get a chance as they are carrying knocks.
In 2015 Mapeza was in the confederations cup the second tier club competition where he failed to reach the group stages. But the former Warriors gaffer said he has assembled a good team though he refused to draw comparisons for his current side.
“I do not want to talk about how other Zimbabwean teams that have played in the Champions League before but what I can tell you is that we are preparing very well for the competition.
“This team and the one we had in 2015 are different, many players have left and new players have come in but what I can say is that we have assembled a team I am confident will achieve our objectives. This was just a friendly match but I am happy with the progress we have made so far, by the time we will play our first match I will be satisfied,’’ he said.
Mapeza said the turn will come in the upcoming friendly matches for the players who did not play yesterday. FC Platinum take on Zambian sides, Zanaco (30 January) and Nkana (3 February) with both fixtures at Mandava.
“Players who did not get a chance today will get the chance in the upcoming friendly matches. I am happy that we are creating goal scoring opportunities and we are getting into scoring positions,” said Mapeza.
Veteran striker Mkhokheli Dube scored the only goal of the match after being put through by an impressive Tigere.
Teams
FC Platinum: W Magalane, R Muduviwa (Mukombwe 81), G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo (Stima 88), W Mhango, R Chinyengetere (Amidu 81), N Tigere (Madzongwe 89), R Kutsanzira (Mudehwe 88), A Sadiki, M Dube (N Papias 81).
Ferroviaro: S Soares, S Teca, A Luca, J Joaquim (Maria 67), M Nhabomba, A Raelo, G Atoy (Maqùire 80), T Nyirenda, T Kanda (Bonde 51), D Antonio, L Mwukisa (Gimo 61).
Online Reporter