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Raymond Jaravaza
ZIMBABWE representatives in the Confederation Cup Ngezi Platinum FC will start preparations for the African safari early in January after the draw was announced by the Confederation of African Football.
Ngezi Platinum FC were drawn against Pamplemousse of Mauritius in the preliminary round of the competition with the first leg set for the weekend of 10-12 February away in the Indian Ocean Island.
The second leg is scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe a fortnight later.
a�?Now that we know our opponents and the dates for the round of fixtures we have asked the technical team to come up with a training programme that will start in early January to maximise on our preparations.
a�?We dona��t want to leave anything to chance so ita��s imperative that we give the team adequate preparations,a�? said club chairman Jeremiah Gasitene.
The Ngezi Platinum boss concedes the new comers on the continental stage are walking into unfamiliar territory.
a�?Ours is a fairytale story because we qualified for a continental tournament in our first year in the Premier Soccer League and we obviously have no idea of what to expect when playing in Africa. We are going into unfamiliar territory but that should not stop us from aiming high,a�? he said.
The Mhondoro-based side recently bolstered their squad for the Confederation Cup by acquiring the services of Tsholotsho FCa��s Maclive Phiri, Dynamos midfielder Dominic Mukandi, who ironically once worked with coach Tonderai Ndiraya at the Harare giants, and Bulawayo City FC captain Xolisani Moyo.
Asked if the club would again raid the market for more players, the Ngezi Platinum chairman said that decision would sorely be left to the coaches to decide if the squad is strong even to take Africaa��s finest teams.
In the event Ngezi Platinum FC beat Pamplemousse, their next assignment will be against CD Libolo of Angola.
Meanwhile local champions Caps United have been drawn against Lesotho champions Lioli for the first leg of the African Champions League away on the weekend of 10-12 February before hosting the second leg at the National Sports Stadium two weeks later.
If Caps United progress to the next round they will meet Democratic Republic of Congo giants TP Mazembe.
In the event Caps United qualifies for the group stage, they are guaranteed to pocket $550 000, being money given for finishing fourth and third in the group.
It is $650 000 for all quarter-finalists and $875 000 for the semi-finalists while the runner-ups take home $1 250 000, 25% better than the $1 million they were getting initially.
The overall cash prize for the 2017 champions has been boosted with a 66,67% increment from $1,5m to $2,5m.
Online Reporter