adminPaul Mundandi Zvishavane Correspondent
ZIFA are happy with Mandava Stadium which they have described as fit enough to play host to the African Confederation Cup. FC Platinum were drawn against Sofapaka of Kenya in the preliminary round of the tournament.
“We were in Zvishavane preparing for the inspection to be done by Caf in January. We toured the hospital, the stadium and hotels and we’re very happy with what we saw.
“We’re also aware that the issue of distance is going to fall away as Air Zimbabwe will be introducing a flight to the ancient city of Masvingo in January. Zvishavane also has the best aerodrome which can accommodate flights,” said Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze.
Mashingaidze was accompanied by Weston Mapande the competitions manager and Lovemore Marange who is in charge of security.
The miners will play host to the Kenyans, Sofapaka, in the reverse fixture on February 27-28.
The platinum miners will travel to Nairobi on the weekend of February 13-15 according to the draw conducted at Caf headquarters on Monday.
If FC Platinum negotiate successfully their way past Sofapaka they will face the winner between Botswana Defence Forces and Young Africans of Tanzania in the first round.
The Platinum miners are not newcomers to the African safari having taken part in the Champions League in 2012.
FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizondo is looking forward to seeing matches played at Mandava.
“The bigger picture is bringing continental football to Zvishavane. We’re proud to be a part of this historic town.
“For us it’s gone beyond football alone but that small towns are breaking barriers both on the domestic and international platform.”
Shabanie were the first side to play host to African football in 2002 when they hosted St Michel of the Seychelles.
Online Reporter