Monomotapa wary of FC Platinum

Sports Reporters
MONOMOTAPA assistant coach Nkululeko Dlamini says their camp are concerned about the threat posed by FC Platinum when they clash in the semi-finals of the BancABC Sup8r Cup at Barbourfields tomorrow. The Zvishavane side travelled to Bulawayo on Wednesday for a training session at Barbourfields.
They did the same in the quarter-finals against Highlanders when they travelled to Masvingo and, given that it worked for them, they have tried the same trick again.
However, Monoz, who beat FC Platinum at the same stage in the Mbada Diamonds Cup last year, would be hoping that they can repeat the same feat.
The former goalkeeper, Dlamini, says Cup games are unpredictable and any of the two teams has a good chance of winning.
“It will be a tough game. A Cup game is different from a league match. It can go either way. We have been preparing hard for the match,” said Dlamini.
The club has also been boosted by the recovery from injury of their two key players, defender Obey Mwerahari and forward Ronald Chitiyo.
Mwerahari has been certified fit to play while Rooney has shaken off a nagging injury and is ready to weave his magic in the middle of the park again. Dlamini said they were unfazed by the FC Platinum strikeforce which has some of the best forwards in the league today.
“We know they have national team players but it is just an opportunity to play in the national team. Our strikers will match them.
“We have Kuda Musharu, Agrripa Murimba and Ishmael Lawe, they are all quality strikers and on a day can win a match,” he said.
Dlamini also believes that the players were hungry to win following their fine run in the Mbada Diamonds Cup last year.
“It is an advantage that our players got to the final last year. So, obviously, they are now more confident. Even though some of the players will be playing at this stage for the first time the old players should motivate them for success.
“And, also, the monetary rewards are just encouraging and enticing for every player. We have just been unfortunate as Monoz that every year we lose the majority of our players to other clubs.
“But we have managed to assemble a good side which can stand against any team,’’ said Dlamini.
For FC Platinum, it is a case of revenge.
Assistant coach Masimba Dinyero says they still have some unfinished business against FC Platinum.
“Last year Monomotapa knocked our team in the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup and we want to revenge that on Saturday.
“We have a full squad with everyone raring to go.
“We want to be in the final and we are doing everything possible to deliver good results for the institution called FC Platinum.
“In 2009 when I was with Shooting Stars we lost to Lengthens in final and this is our chance to be in the final,” said Dinyero.
The former Black Mambas and Dynamos player was drafted into the FC Platinum dressing room by his best friend, head coach Lloyd Mutasa.
“In Europe big teams are knocked out by small teams. We know Monoz are rebuilding and it is our wish to remain focused.
“This is a new game which would be won by scoring goals,” he said.
Since bursting into the Premiership in 2011 the platinum miners are still to lift a major knock-out trophy.