Green Mamba expected today

now under the tutelage of former Dynamos player and coach Lloyd Mutasa, left their base in Mbabane yesterday on a long journey by road.
The team was scheduled to sleep over in South Africa and are expected in Masvingo, where they will be accommodated, before midday.
Zifa Communications manager, Nicholette Dhlamini Moyo, confirmed the Swazi champions are expected today while Jamhuri of Zanzibar, who engage Hwange in the Confederation Cup at the Colliery, will arrive tomorrow.
South Africa’s Black Leopards are expected on Friday for Sunday’s clash with Motor Action in the Confederation Cup.
Green Mamba, who apparently have a big task to overturn a 4-2 first leg deficit, received big morale booster on Friday when financial institution Nedbank unveiled a E50 000 (R50 000) sponsorship package.
The Swazi champions received home and away kits, 35 tracksuits and the same number of sports bags.
However Mutasa’s men have a          huge task ahead of them in the Champions League despite beating local rivals Moneni Pirates to reach the quarterfinals of the domestic Swazi Bank Cup.
Mamba’s hopes for survival in the prestigious Caf competition have been diminished by the huge first leg defeat and they now need to score not less than three goals at Mandava, hoping they also keep a clean sheet, for them to progress.
FC Platinum are still trying to assess the extent of the injury to their key marksman Donald Ngoma who limped off in the first half of the Bob ’88 Super Cup victory over Hwange on Sunday.
Ngoma, who scored a brace in Swaziland, failed to train with the team and went for a medical check-up yesterday.
The striker, who has been carrying a knock, appeared in great pain as he experienced difficulty walking on the turf while the team celebrated their first silverware with a clinical 2-0 win over Hwange.
Ngoma had succumbed to a bad tackle by Chipangano defender David Boriwondo in the 35th minute, which hurt his ankle.
He was replaced by the goal scorer Michell Katsvairo who got their opener soon after the restart.
However, there was good news for the platinum miners as midfielder Allan Gahadzikwa, who was also injured in the game, trained with the team yesterday.
Assistant coach Tendai Chikuni, who is in charge of the side in                   the absence of Rahman Gumbo,           said they were hoping that all injured players will be okay for the weekend game.
“It’s unfortunate that we had two players injured in the game but we will continue to look at them during the course of the week.
“But I will not make a comment on Donald until we get the doctor’s report.
“He went for the check up today (yesterday) and we are still waiting for feedback. Allan looks fine. He had light training and he should be fine for the game,” said Chikuni.
Platinum will be looking forward to build on their solid start as they appear to have one leg in the first round after taking the healthy              lead.
Chikuni said the Bob ’88 Super Cup final was part of their preparations for the return leg against Mamba.
“We wanted to emphasise on continuity and if you look closely at the team we only made one change to the team that played in Swaziland, bringing in Welcome Ndiweni for Charles Sibanda who is away with the national team,” said Chikuni.
Their Bob ’88 opponents Hwange, who failed to click in Sunday’s final, will also be on a mission when they welcome Jamhuri of Zanzibar at the Colliery.
Hwange made a flying start to their Confederation Cup campaign away in the East African island and they lead 3-0 from the first leg.
Fixtures
Saturday: (Caf Champions League)
FC Platinum v Green Mamba (Mandava)
Sunday: (Caf Confederation Cup)
Motor Action v Black Leopards (Rufaro), Hwange v Jamhuri (Colliery)