Ngodzo confident . . . as FC Platinum raid Somhlolo Stadium

tomorrow in a Champions League preliminary round and go all the way to the later stages of the competition.
Ngozo, the platinum miners’ captain, is seeking luck in his third attempt at the tournament.
His first taste of African football was in 2003 when Highlanders lost 6-1 to Esperance of Tunisia in the second round.
He was back with Bosso in 2007 losing 2-0 to then African champions Aly Ahly.
“Those two escapades are history. I am now at FC Platinum and raring to go. I am praying for third time luck to spur me on. My personal ambition as a player is to see this club go as far as possible in this tournament. It would be great if we went as far as the Champions League mini league stage,” said Ngodzo.
He was speaking after yesterday’s training session at which the club trained at a pitch at a sister hotel of their Lugogo Sun. Initially they had been set to train at a private school Enjabulweni but plans were changed by their hosts.
In the afternoon they went to the same venue with the Swaziland Football Association not availing the stadium as per Confederation of African Football expectations in countries where there are artificial surfaces. It appears the Swazis are now playing mind games but the Zimbabwean delegation which is familiar with the quick surface were not perturbed by that.
“Most of the guys have played at Rufaro. We trained at Rufaro in the last week before we came here so we know what to expect,” said Ngodzo.
Morale in the camp, he said, was high with all the players aware of the task ahead.
“I am happy morale is high in the camp. We are all raring to go because we want this FC Platinum to go far. Everyone who is with the team knows our expectations. What I can say is that we are looking forward to a positive result at Somhlolo before we finish off these guys at Mandava in two weeks’ time,” said Ngodzo.
There were no injury worries in the camp among the 18 players on tour.
Meanwhile, former Dynamos coach and player Lloyd Mutasa who is a week old at the helm at Green Mamba said they would bank on home advantage.
“We have to use the home ground advantage and complete the job here. It is possible because we beat strong teams from Mozambique recently. We will need the support of the nation on Sunday,” said Mutasa in an interview with a Swazi daily yesterday.
Green Mamba went on an excursion in Mozambique where they beat Deportivo Maputo 4-0, Maxaquane 2-0 and Malcumuno 1-0.
The Swazi team is home to Zimbabweans Stanford “Collymore” Ncube who played for Njube Sundowns, Highlanders and Railstars and former Dynamos reserve goalkeeper Zondai Nyaungwa.
Njabuliso Simelane and captain Siyabonga Mdluli are the club’s key players.