Injuries hit Hwange preps

their hosts El Amal Atbara in the reverse leg of their first round clash in Sudan.
Hwange, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Amal Atabara at home two weeks ago, are battling to progress to the second round of the tournament with a victory or a scoring draw better than 1-1.
The coal miners have a big challenge on their hands following the home draw and that will not be made any easier by the unavailability of midfielder Ocean Mpofu, Evans Rusike and Nkosana Siwela through injury.
Defender Munyaradzi Mangadze is also suspended after he picked up a red card at the Colliery.
Club spokesperson, Burzil Dube, yesterday said their options were severely limited by the injuries but remained confident that it would not affect the rhythm of the team.
Hwange believe they didn’t play their best football at home as they found themselves on the back foot in the first half following the expulsion of the former Ziscosteel defender Mungadze in the first half.
They also conceded an early goal before skipper Rodwell Chinyengetere equalised.
Speaking from their base, which about 300km from capital Khartoum yesterday, Dube said they are ready for the showdown.
“Morale is high in camp and despite the fact that we are missing some of our players through injury.
“The team is training in the evenings and they will train at the match venue today (yesterday) as well as tomorrow night as the pitch has been availed to us.
“We are confident we will get a positive result here,” said Dube.
It is all Zimbabwean-affair in Sudan this weekend with FC Platinum dating giants El-Merreikh tomorrow night at the El-Merreikh Stadium.
Speaking from Khartoum yesterday, FC Platinum secretary, Phil Muwengwa, said the team arrived yesterday morning and spent the whole day resting and were scheduled to train in the early hours of the evening.
The team would be boosted by the arrival of their supporters today as the Zvishavane side seek a next round berth.