admin“FC Platinum are playing very well but this is a cup game.
“We have no pressure at all because this is our first cup game in our debut year. We respect our opponents but we are not afraid to play football and we are going to Kariba to have fun and who knows we might find ourselves up the ladder,” said Bigboy Mawiwi.
The Sunshine City Boys lost a league game to defending champions Dynamos after a late strike by Ocean Mushure on Wednesday.
Mawiwi, however, was not happy with the fixture as he wanted to play FC Platinum tomorrow in the resort town of Kariba.
“We are not going to rest. I am travelling to Kariba without having trained so there are no preparations for us,” he said.
FC Platinum who have managed to collect the Bob 88 Super Cup and the Independence Trophy will be looking to add more silverware to their cabinet.
Chikuni who was ushered into the hot seat on an interim basis guided FC Platinum to their first silverware in the absence of Rahman Gumbo and will be looking forward to continuing today.
Benjamin Marere has regained his form so have Ali Sadiki and William Manondo who was recalled from Gunners.
Chikuni also has hitman Donald “Dombo” Ngoma and Mitchelle Katsvairo who can do damage to any team in the league on their day.
The team has been training under very hot conditions in Zvishavane — a sign that they are not taking tomorrow’s encounter lightly.
They are not new to Kariba as they once had their pre-season training in the resort town.
“It is a cup game and we have a different approach. The place is a hot area and we will change our game plan on Saturday.
“My guys know what is at stake. We are taking the match very seriously and the game means a lot to us. Weather will not be very favourable to any team.
“It is my desire to lift the cup and we need to fight to achieve that. We will be taking each game as it comes,” said Chikuni.
Former Motor Action midfielder Allen Gahadzikwa picked up a knock in a match against Quelaton and was expected to pass a late fitness test.
The team will be looking at Welcome Ndiweni and Joel Ngodzo to do the battle in the midfield.
Norman Togara, Qadr Amin, the roving Simon Shoko, Thabani Kamusoko and the evergreen Daniel Veremu are expected to take care of the defence and Zephaniah Ngodzo, goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube who were under suspension are likely to be in the team.
FC Platinum showed they are taking the match seriously as they travelled to Kariba on Thursday, a move expected to give their players enough rest and also to adjust to the hot weather conditions in Kariba.
Online Reporter