adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
FC Platinum vice-captain Thabani Kamusoko has urged his teammates to put behind the festive season break and immediately focus on their forthcoming Caf Confederation Cup assignment.
The platinum miners are expected to regroup at Mandava next Thursday to begin preparations for their preliminary round tie against Kenyan outfit Sofapaka next month.
FC Platinum will travel to Nairobi for the first leg on the weekend of February 13 to 15 before hosting the East Africans in Zvishavane to the reverse fixture on February 27 and March 1.
Kamusoko is one of the players whose experience Norman Mapeza’s men will be banking on when they make their maiden appearance in the Confederation Cup.
The dreadlocked former Warriors midfielder who can also play in the heart of defence gained some continental experience while turning out for Premiership champions Dynamos.
Kamusoko was also part f the FC Platinum side when Kugona Kunenge Kudada made their continental football debut when taking part in the 2012 Champions League.
They however failed to go beyond the first round after being knocked out by Sudanese giants El Merreikh.
Kamusoko said although they did not know much about their opponents in the Confederation Cup, it was important for his teammates to remain focused on the mission at hand and to have a positive attitude from the time they regroup next week.
“I do not know Kenyan football well but I believe if we begin our camp with a positive attitude and set a target of winning against them we will be able to do well.
“Being committed will do everyone good in the squad although right now it is too early for me to determine who is fit for the side after our break.
“It is very tricky but all I have for my fellow teammates is to tell them to be focused. We are going into camp and I am sure that we will have good preparations, we are not a bad side and I think we just need to remain focused,” said Kamusoko.
FC Platinum registered a 25-member squad in which they retained the bulk of the squad that won the Chibuku Super Cup and a ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the Confederation Cup.
With Premiership kings Dynamos having withdrawn from participating in the Champions League, FC Platinum will be Zimbabwe’s sole representatives in the continental competitions.
Club spokesperson Chido Chizondo said they were confident that the squad which they have assembled will be up to the task of the competition they will face on the African Safari.
“We are happy with the squad and the players are expected to start their camp on January 8 in Zvishavane.
“The club executive and the technical are all happy with the squad and we are all looking forward to start a new season.
“We have chosen Mandava as our venue because it is going to help all our players to be relaxed and feel at home during the big matches.
“We also looking at cutting down on the cost so Zvishavane will be the best venue for camping,’’ said Chizondo.
The only notable additions to the Zvishavane side are former Black Rhinos striker Brian Muzondiwa, midfielder Wellington Kamudyariwa who arrived from neighbours Shabanie Mine and Nigel Papias who has been promoted from the FC Platinum juniors.
If Platinum manage to negotiate past the Kenyans they would face the winner between Young Africans of Tanzania and BDF XI of Botswana in the first round.
A much tougher assignment will however come in the second round against Tunisia’s seasoned campaigners Étoile du Sahel and that is if only the North African would have edged past any of Benfica de Luanda of Angola or Burundi’s Messenger Ngozi.
FC Platinum’s Confederation Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari, Francis Tizayi.
Defenders: Raphael Muduviwa, Kelvin Moyo, Elvis Moyo, Gift Bello, Daniel Veremu, Qadr Amin, Aaron Katebe, Ian Nekati.
Midfielders: Wisdom Mutasa, Simon Shoko, Tatenda Dzumbunu, Raymond Sibanda, Walter Musona, Thabani Kamusolo, Allen Gahadzikwa, Marshall Mudehwe, Brian Muzondiwa, Wellington Kamudyariwa.
Strikers: Nelson Maziwisa, Obrey Chola Chirwa, Donald Ngoma, Nigel Papias, Emmanuel Madiranga.
Online Reporter