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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
NGEZI Platinum FC’s recently signed defensive midfielder Xolisani “Scara” Moyo is thrilled at making another foray into continental soccer battles as his side takes on Mauritian side Pamplemousses in the Confederation of Africa Football Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg.
Moyo was given a lifeline to feature in today’s game at the last minute by his former club, Bulawayo City who released his clearance last Wednesday making him eligible for selection.
Moyo’s first excursion into Africa was with Bulawayo-side How Mine in 2014 in the Confederation Cup where they managed to make it past the preliminary and first round stages before being eliminated in the second round by Nigerian side, Bayelsa United in a hotly contested away leg match.
The midfielder said he is looking forward to the second dance in the Confederation Cup adding it was one of the motivating factors that made him move to Ngezi Platinum. He said he was optimistic his experience with How Mine will come handy as they enter a terrain that has not been kind to Zimbabwean teams.
Moyo said he had learnt that it was tough out there and it has to be serious business from the start.
“My experience with How Mine will certainly assist a lot and I have been talking to the coach (Tonderayi Ndiraya) and my teammates on the need to expect anything when playing away.
“We should not be surprised by the hostile receptions and neither should we be dismayed by biased match officiating but it is critical that we focus on coming up with the result,” he said.
How Mine were given a rude awakening when they went to Nigeria as they were left stranded at the airport with no Nigeria Football Association officials in sight to welcome them while they were also subjected to violence on the day of the match at the stadium.
The Bulawayo-side had been carrying a 2-1 lead after winning at home but lost 2-0 away to exit the competition. Moyo expressed confidence his side will emerge victorious against Pamplemousses saying he felt island teams were not that strong.
He said he was itching to go into the group stages although there was no pressure coming from the club’s leaders.
“As a team we want to go further but the club officials accept that we are new in Africa hence it might be difficult so there is not really much pressure on us. However, it would be great to reach the group stages after I failed to do that with How Mine,” said Moyo.
A changed format in the competition has seen the removal of the second round, with a team having to win three instead of four matches before reaching the group stages.
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Bongani Ndlovu