adminTadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs coach Lizwe Sweswe knows a thing or two about his FC Platinum counterpart Norman Mapeza having previously worked under him.
And he reckons that could work to his team’s advantage when the Bulawayo outfit play the champions in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Mandava this afternoon.
Chiefs however, will be missing one of their key men Ban Nyahunzvi through injury. FC Platinum are coming from a confidence-sapping 2-1 defeat at the hands of Highlanders who put the Zvishavane team’s 24-match unbeaten run to a halt last week.
But Sweswe believes a wounded FC Platinum could be dangerous though he remains optimistic of his team’s chances.
“It’s a big game playing against the champions. But all in all, the boys are ready because they know the challenge ahead of them. We respect FC Platinum,” said Sweswe.
“They are a good team, they have been together for some years.
“But with the team we have now, I think we have tried to combine these players, I think they are ready for the challenge.”
Sweswe said although FC Platinum lost to Highlanders, they still showed they are a team on top of their game and ought to be respected.
“Of course, they lost against Highlanders but looking at them, obviously they won’t read much into that.
“You look at their movements, with and without the ball, their entrances into key areas, ball retention. They showed that they are just a complete team so we can’t take away anything from that just because they lost against Highlanders.
“What is important is to prepare ourselves and be ready to come out with a good result at Mandava.”
Bulawayo Chiefs have picked two points in three games after drawing twice while losing once.
And Sweswe says his team needs to take off against FC Platinum.
“We have taken note of one or two aspects of their game and we have been working on that and I hope we will come right when we get there.
“Sometimes it’s about bringing confidence into these boys.
“We are taking the same squad that we used against Black Rhinos, save for Ben Nyahunzvi who is injured.
“I might have worked at FC Platinum before and have the knowledge on how they operate but what is important is the arsenal which I have in my team. But my players understand football, strategies, game plan and in terms of how we want them to play.
“What is important is how we are going to apply ourselves in the game.
“It’s a great game, probably it will be coach versus coach.”
FC Platinum have six points to their name after winning twice and losing once.
Online Reporter