Zimbabwe’s representatives date Sudanese outfits

Zimbabwe’s representative in the Caf Champions League, FC Platinum, play giants El Merreikh who are the main rivals to Edward Sadomba’s Al Hilal in the first round match at Mandava on the weekend of March 24-25.
FC Platinum will then travel to Omdurman, after two weeks, to face the Red Devils, who are one of the oldest clubs in Africa after being established in 1927. 
Hwange, who have booked a berth in the first round of the Caf Confederations Cup, date modest Al Amal who are making their second attempt in the same competition.
The Leopards, as Al Amal are affectionately called, are based in the town of Atbarah, which is located on the north-east of Khartoum.
El Merreikh and Al Hilal have the biggest profiles in their league.
Harare giants Dynamos will also be joining the Caf inter-club action when they engage either Liga Muculmano of Mozambique or Tanzania’s Mafunzo in the Champions League.
The Mozambicans are carrying a seemingly healthy 2-0 lead from the first leg ahead of the return match in Maputo this weekend.
Mafunzo were knocked out by Gunners on their first attempt in 2010.
FC Platinum have stormed into the first round after beating Swazi side Green Mamba 8-2 on aggregate in the preliminary stage.
The Zvishavane-based club won 4-2 away before completing a 4-0 rout at Mandava on Saturday and their coach Rahman Gumbo said he was ready for the seasoned campaigners from Sudan.
Joel Ngodzo put the hosts into the lead in the 6th minute before Allan Gahadzikwa and a brace from Charles Sibanda put the game beyond Lloyd Mutasa’s charges in the first half. With more precision, Ali Sadiki, Mitchelle Katsvairo and substitute Rowan Nenzou could have added more goals in the second half.
Gumbo is aware of the threat posed by El Merreikh who have made seven appearances in the Champions League against the debutants.
The FC Platinum gaffer, who is also the Warriors caretaker coach, is also happy that Caf matches have been spread to venues other than Harare and Bulawayo.
“It’s very good that the Caf matches are now being played at other venues across the country. This is good for our football. We are now through to next round and have plans for El Merreikh. They could be different from Green Mamba but that is why we are also playing in the Champions League,” said Gumbo.
The FC Platinum coach said he is not losing any sleep at the prospects of playing the 18-time Sudanese champions in the first round.
El Merreikh, just like Zimbabwe’s Dynamos had been given a bye in the preliminary round.
Gumbo believes he will be able to plan accordingly as he has an insight into the Sudanese giants.
“I know that El Merreikh are good side because they provide at least half of the players to the Sudanese national team. As the national team coach, I am aware of some of their players. We know how to handle them when we get there,” said Gumbo.
Goalkeeper Akram El Hadi Sali, defenders Najm Eldir Abdullah, Mosaab Omar, Amer Kamal and striker Abdel Rahman Karongo are listed as national team players from El Merreikh while the side also has foreign players from Zambia, Cote d’ Ivoire and Nigerian.
While Gumbo is now bracing for a clash against El Merreikh, former Dynamos coach Mutasa is now only focusing on his domestic league.
Mutasa took charge in Mandava as they fell 4-0.
“Our guys gave FC Platinum too much room in the first half and they scored. We tried to pick up our game in the second half but it was too little, too late,” said Mutasa.
Mutasa said Green Mamba are still on a learning curve and he believes they will go beyond the preliminary round next time.
“It’s the first time for the team to participate in the Champions League. The boys have really enjoyed the experience of playing despite failing to get the goals,” said Mutasa.
Currently, Green Mamba are lying in ninth position on the 12 team log with eight games before the end of the season.