adminChipangano take on Al Amal Atbara at the Colliery Stadium on Sunday and the Sudanese jet in at the Harare International Airport this afternoon.
Hwange secretary and spokesman Burzil Dube said the additional costs of flying their opponents will not affect the club much because they had made provisions for such eventualities.
“We are not blaming anyone, not Caf or even our national airline, Air Zimbabwe, for not servicing local routes. As Hwange, we knew the consequences of participating in this tournament. Caf statutes are clear on what should happen but what will definitely not happen is having Hwange play their home matches anywhere else in this country other than the Colliery Stadium,” said Dube.
He said even if they qualify for the group stages, which they hope to do, the same arrangements will be in place unless their opponents come through OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg where they will then be able to land at the Victoria Falls Airport.
Caf statutes demand that road distances should not be more than 200km, meaning that the journey from Harare to either Victoria Falls or Hwange cannot be undertaken by road.
Meanwhile, Hwange yesterday secured a plane to fly Al Amal Atbara players and officials at a cost of $25 000.
“At the moment we have not decided on the team’s travel arrangements from Victoria Falls to Hwange. We could fly them or they could travel by road depending on what is best for them,” said Dube.
In a related development, Hwange’s Zambian coach Tennant Chilumba said yesterday’s training session went on well and all the 24 players would go into camp tomorrow before the final 18 is announced.
“Everything is moving according to plan and I will be taking all the Caf Confederation Cup registered players to camp, it’s a way of boosting morale,” said the reigning
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Coach of the Year.
With quality players like Ocean Mpofu, who put up a man-of-the-match performance in the second leg 4-0 win over Jamhuri, captain Rodwell Chinyengetere, tough defender David Boriwondo and goalkeeper Petros Mhari, Chipangano has the potential of handing the Sudanese their
second loss in two games after they fell 3-0 to lowly ranked Al-Mourada in their local league.
Promising young Tonisani Sibelo will take guard on the rightback with the Dynamos destroyer in the Bob 88 semi-final match at Barbourfields Stadium Francesco Zvikumbawire. Farai Vimisai and Nkosana Siwela are also expected to be in the starting line-up.
Another national representative, FC Platinum, who take on El Merreikh also from Sudan in the first round first leg Caf Champions League match at Rufaro Stadium
will hope to take a healthy lead for the second leg.
FC Platinum were forced to play in Harare after Caf banned the use of their Mandava Stadium citing lack of suitable accommodation for players and officials.
Online Reporter