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Fungai Muderere
THE 12th man – thousands of supporters that were expected to drive African football giants Esperance – have been banned from the Stade Olympique D’el Menzeh in Tunis.
This should come as a relief for Norman Mapeza as his troops trot into the stadium in a Caf Champions League group stages match on Friday.
The kick-off time for the encounter, which was initially scheduled for 9pm, was moved to 3 pm a development which reportedly also came as another relief to Pure Platinum Play, FC Platinum camp.
The two sides will fight it out in an empty stadium following Caf’s disciplinary judgment on Monday. The verdict came after the hosts were found guilty of crowd disturbances during the 2018 Champions League final against Al Ahly.
Be that as it may, it is an open secret that Esperance are an undoubted killer machine especially on their home turf.
In case you need the facts ask Highlanders’ Class of 2004.
A Bosso 6-0 away drubbing to the Tunisian club is the worst defeat experienced by a local club in continental football.
This was after the two clubs played a one-all draw at Barbourfields Stadium.
It is that Bosso-Tunisia nightmare that the star studded platinum miners should avoid at all costs.
Interestingly, FC Platinum have veteran forward Mkhokheli Dube in their squad, a player who was part of the Bosso squad that played Esperance in the same contest.
Dube’s goal back in 2003 in the first leg at Emagumeni had given the whole Bosso family hope before a Tapiwa Kapini gaffe gifted Esperance a goal for a share of points.
While theories linked to the ouster of Bosso in that year are as numerous as those linked to the assassination of former US President John Kennedy, there is one crucial one – lack of depth.
It was always going to be difficult for Bosso to make an impact after losing influential players like Charles Chilufya, Dazzy Kapenya, Blessing Gumiso, Siza Khoza, Thulani Ncube and Thabani Masawi, to local and foreign clubs.
The club did not do much to find suitable replacements although they brought in the likes of Chipo Tsodzo, Chewe Mulenga and Chenjerai Dube.
While Highlanders seemed to be unwilling to invest heavily in players who could make a difference in their 2003-2004 continental campaign, FC Platinum were so much busy on the local market in preparation for their 2018/2019 inter club football campaign.
With Dube,William Stima, Rahman Kutsanzira, Kelvin Madzongwe, Lawrence Mhlanga, Elvis Moyo, Lameck Nhamo, Petros Mhari, Devon Chafa and Farai Madhanhanga among other talented players in their ranks Mapeza’s men should post at least a draw.
Online Reporter