Hwange, Platinum ready for continental showcase

Hwange coach Tennant Chilumba yesterday certified his troops are ready for their weekend Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg against Zanzibar’s Jamhuri.
While the coalminers left Hwange yesterday for Harare where they are due to fly out to Zanzibar today, the platinum miners are set to leave Zvishavane for Harare this afternoon.
According to secretary Philemon Muvengwa the club will stay overnight in Harare and catch a flight to South Africa enroute to Swaziland where they clash with Green Mambas at the weekend.
Muvengwa said they had put all the logistics in place to be able to leave tomorrow for their Champions League match.
It is their maiden game in only their second season in the Castle Lager Premiership after finishing second to Dynamos last year.
“All is set for us to leave for Swaziland on Thursday morning. We will stay a night in Harare before flying out the following day at 8.50am. We are ready,” said Muvengwa.
The team seems to have the right ingredient mix for a good result away from home with an experienced coaching pool that includes boss Rahman Gumbo and another well travelled coach Peter Nkomo.
The playing unit has some of the best players in the land in all departments and if they play as a team away from home a positive result could come their way and lessen the burden for the second leg set for Zvishavane in a fortnight’s time.
Gumbo is not new to this level of competition having travelled with Highlanders in the continent and would be eager to go further than the final qualifying round to justify his rating as a top notch coach in the country.
Chipangano, one of the country’s representatives in the less prestigious Caf Confederation Cup competition will this afternoon fly out with 18 players for their crunch tie against the East Africans.
The Zambian expatriate was happy with his team’s travelling plans as they would have two days to train before taking on Jamhuri on Saturday.
Many a time Zimbabwean clubs that have participated in continental club competitions have had hassles with their travelling arrangements leading to them having a short time to acclimatise.
Chipangano, who did not train yesterday as they were travelling to the capital, will have a light training session this morning in Harare.
Chilumba said his players have been mentally prepared for the away encounter, which he predicted would be difficult.
“Our match in Zanzibar will be difficult but the boys are ready for the challenge and they want to do better. I have confidence in my players as we have trained hard for the game.
“I am happy with our travelling arrangements as we will arrive in Zanzibar on Thursday morning, train in the afternoon and get to feel the match venue on Friday. Playing away has always been difficult but the boys have been psychologically prepared to handle any situation that might be used to frustrate us,” Chilumba said.
The Hwange coach also revealed that they seek the advice of some local referees who have handled continental matches to give them tips on what to expect.
The last time the Colliery Stadium played host to a continental match was in 1993 when Hwange, then called Wankie, faced Kenya Breweries in the Africa Cup Winners Cup.
Hwange have been busy preparing for their Caf Confederation tournament campaign, playing three competitive matches in the last three weeks.
Last month they beat Dynamos 2-1 in the Bob Super Cup played at Barbourfields Stadium and that win will go a long way in cultivating players’ confidence levels.
In that match, former Zim Leopards striker Francisco Zvikumbawire scored a brace with Dynamos’ consolation goal coming from goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
On their return from Zanzibar Hwange will play FC Platinum in the final of the Bob 88 Super Cup.
Hwange had two friendly matches in South Africa against Orlando Pirates who are the sole representatives of that country in the prestigious Caf Champions League. The coalminers narrowly lost 1-0 to the Soweto giants.
In their other South African friendly, Hwange held Platinum Stars to a goalless draw at Randburg.
At the weekend they had their final friendly match called off after 20 minutes of the first half due to heavy rains. At that time Chipangano were leading 1-0 against Quelaton.
“All the matches that we played helped us shape up the team as we managed to come up with combinations. We also had a training camp just after the Christmas holiday and the players really worked hard there.
“Like I said, I have faith in my players and we will be going there for nothing other than a victory. Most of these players are playing in the continental competition for the first time and they will want to leave a mark. With such a mentality, I am sure that my boys will put up a brilliant performance,” said Chilumba.
Young goalkeeper Petros Mhari who has been a revelation for the coalminers since taking over from veteran Timothy Sibanda last year is likely to start between the goalposts for Hwange.
Chilumba named four defenders for the Zanzibar trip, that is, David Boriwondo, Tonisani Sibelo, Eric Chipeta and Munyaradzi Mungadze.
The reigning Castle Lager Coach of the Year could not be drawn to revealing his game plan but judging by the number of midfielders he has, he is likely to congest the midfield and probably attack with one striker.
Zvikumbawire, veteran Gilbert Zulu and Tongai Mamina are the three strikers in Chilumba’s team.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Timothy Sibanda, Petros Mhari
Defenders: Eric Chipeta, David Boriwondo, Munyaradzi Mungadze, Tonisani Sibelo
Midfielders: Winston Mhango, Evans Rusike, Ocean Mpofu, Farai Vimisai, Nkosana Siwela, Kudakwashe Chipere, Oscar Lungu, Tawanda Mareya, Richard Chinyengetere
Strikers: Francisco Zvikumbawire, Gilbert Zulu, Tongai Mamina.