adminMukudzei Chingwere Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP kings FC Platinum yesterday received the ultimate boost after the Confederation of African Football gave them the green light to use their home ground, Mandava, for their 2018 Champions League matches.
CAF stadium inspector Kabelo Doslong of South Africa was in the country last month to run the ruler over Mandava and was impressed by the venue and facilities in Zvishavane.
The news will come as a major boost to Norman Mapeza and his charges as they prepare for a return to the Champions League following their first and only participation in 2012.
There has always been confidence that Mandava will not have any problem in meeting the CAF required minimum standards, but as was the case in 2012, questions were raised over accommodation and facilities in Zvishavane.
However, the refurbished Pote Hotel was the game changer that allayed fears about the accommodation of visiting teams in the mining town.
ZIFA confirmed the latest developments and implored football lovers to support FC Platinum in their African adventure as they are representing Zimbabwe.
“CAF has been impressed by Mandava Stadium and they have allowed FC Platinum to use the venue for their Champions League home matches. CAF also certified the facilities in Zvishavane that they have the capacity to host high profile delegates who will accompany these teams,” said ZIFA communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela.
“FC Platinum will be representing Zimbabwe this year in the African Safari, so I am urging all football lovers in this country to rally behind them in these matches.
“We are happy they have been allowed to play at their home ground and we wish them all the best in this competition,” said Gwesela.
FC Platinum assistant coach Lizwe Sweswe said playing at Mandava would be a major boost for the team in the likely gruesome African Safari.
“I have not yet been told that we will be playing our home matches at Mandava. But if it is true that our home ground has passed, it will be a very big advantage for us to play at our home ground and we will be very happy,” said Sweswe.
The Zimbabwean champions will start their Champions League adventure with an away date against Angolan champions Clube Desportivo de Agosto on February 11.
FC Platinum are working round the clock to sharpen their team ahead of their continental sojourn and have been playing international friendly matches to give their players a feel of what to expect when the tournament starts.
So far they have played Mozambican giants Ferroviario de Beira and Zambian side Zanaco, where coach Mapeza said he wanted to assess the endurance levels of his players.
Mapeza and his lieutenants still have another date with Zambian giants Nkana Red Devils on Saturday to assess their charges before facing the Angolans.
The championship-winning gaffer has set himself an initial target of reaching at least the group stages of the African Safari ,following in the footsteps of CAPS United.
Online Reporter