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Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Zvishavane
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FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza yesterday declared his outfit ready for the Angolans in the Total Caf Champions League first leg preliminary round next week after watching his side put up a polished performance against Nkana of Zambia in an international friendly at Mandava Stadium.
Yesterday’s encounter was the third preparatory friendly for Pure Platinum that started with a 1-0 win over Mozambican side Ferovirairo before succumbing to a 0-4 defeat to Zanaco on the same venue but Mapeza said the defeat did not give them any fears at all.
Speaking during a post match interview, Mapeza said it was all systems go and Pure Platinum was now ready for their first real test on February 11, an assertion which was also shared by Nkana coach Manfred Chabinga.
“We are ready now, 95 percent I think. We are ready now for the Angolans. Against Zanaco we used some of the new guys who are yet to grasp our system of play but today I think it was a good performance from the team but at the end of the day I think it’s not about the result but how we play and from such a performance, there were so many positives,” said Mapeza.
He employed a 3-5-1-1 tactical formation that had the Moyo twins Kevin and Elvis as well as skipper Gift Bello holding fort in the central defence while veteran Mkhokheli Dube was the sole gunman upfront, supported by former Highlanders winger Rahman Kutsanzira with Winston Mhango playing just in front of the central defence.
Free running former ZPC Kariba player Never Tigere caused all sorts of problems for the Zambians in their own final third.
“They played Zanaco yet for us it’s a first international friendly and we were struggling with fitness and FC Platinum exposed us in some areas. They were giving us some problems. Football is not the same, in terms of the league and the Champions League but I think they will make it into the group stages, they are a good side, I mean winning the league title in Zimbabwe when you have giants like Highlanders, Caps United actually shows that they are a good side and I’m positive they will make it into the group stages,” said Chabinga.
Mapeza is expected to announce his travelling squad tomorrow.
Online Reporter