FC Platinum face Orlando Pirates

11 Jan, 2019 - 00:01 0 Views
FC Platinum face Orlando Pirates Norman Mapeza

eBusiness Weekly

Chipo Sabeta
Zimbabwe football champions, FC Platinum, face South African giants Orlando Pirates at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo in a potentially explosive Total Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champion League opener tomorrow.

Fireworks are expected at Barbourfields despite FC Platinum’s discomfort of not using their traditional home ground in Zvishavane.

The Norman Mapeza-led side made it to the lucrative group stage for the first time after three attempts and they are expected to be at their best for the continental clash. The Platinum miners were handed a tough draw in the group stages of the CAF after being drawn in Group B alongside three-time winners and reigning champions Espérance from Tunisia and Guinean club, Horoya Athletic Club.

At this stage, FC Platinum will be seeking their second dance with the Champions League, having previously participated in the 2012 edition in which they were eliminated in the first round stage by Sudanese giants El Merreikh.

However, at hand is a tougher encounter against Milutin Sredojevic’s men at Barbourfields — an ABSA premiership top side with vast experience with African tournaments having won their sole title in 1995 against FC Platinum, who are making their debut appearance in the group stages.

Pirates are returning to Zimbabwe since 1997 competition when they knocked out Harare giants CAPS United with a 2-1 aggregate win at the National Sports Stadium.

“They are the debutants in the group stages and they are not attractive by name, but their coach Norman Mapeza has done extremely well to guide them to the championship in Zimbabwe. This is a team with an incredible amount of motivation, one that will give us a hard time because we are neighbours”, Orlando Pirates head coach Sredojevic told the media after the draw.

“We are very aware it won’t be easy — we know only two teams go through to the quarter-finals. We will plan every match as it comes and we believe in the quality of our players for the performances that we desire.”

The Buccaneers are home to Warriors internationals Marshall Munetsi and Kudakwashe Mahachi and with the South African giants commanding a huge following in Bulawayo and could feel more at home at Barbourfields.

Sports analyst and football agent George Deda believes FC Platinum are well-prepared, focused and will shock the visitors. Mandava Stadium was condemned by CAF for failing to satisfy certain required standards.

This would be the second time FC Platinum are forced to play their home games away from Zvishavane in the champions league. The first encounter happened in 2012 when they played Sudanese club Al Mereikh at Rufaro Stadium.

“There have been shifts in football on the continent and the world at large and FC Platinum must not be intimidated by Orlando Pirates. What might differ is their experience in African Safari, but the ground was level to both sides.

“A good example is how CAPS United booted out the five-time African champions TP Mazembe in 2017. FC Platinum will need to focus on their game and not buy much about playing away from home because they are bound to play at various unfavourable stadiums all-over Africa. The ground is level ,” he said.

“In terms of quality, the two teams can match pound by pound. Any player in that FC Platinum team can fit into the Pirates squad. I am a player agent and I know what I am talking about. The other difference is on remuneration and that basically influences their motivation. Playing at Barbourfields is not something they should mourn about because they have played six or seven competitive matches a season,” Deda added.

FC Platinum have been busy on the transfer business for the African Safari adding former Kaizer Chiefs striker Edmore Chirambadare on a two-year contract, former Ngezi Platinum utility player Godknows Murwira and Perfect Chikwende. With Chirambadare’s arrival, FC Platinum has now exhausted the quota of 30 players that are permissible for this competition.

Other newcomers include Rainsome Pavari and Lameck Nhamo into the platinum belt for the campaign.

This year, Southern Africa is being  represented by three clubs namely FC Platinum, the South African duo of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The top two finishers from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

FC Platinum becomes Zimbabwe’s fourth club to compete in the mini league phase of the CAF Champions League, following in the footsteps of Dynamos, CAPS United and Monomotapa.

Dynamos remain the most successful after making it into the final of Africa’s biggest club competition back in 1998 and the semi-finals in 2008.

FC Platinum has pegged the cheapest ticket at $5 while a VIP seat cost $10. The VVIP is going for $20.

Meanwhile, CAF has assigned Rwandan match officials for the tie.

Jean-Claude Ishimwe will be in the centre assisted by Dieudonne Mutuyimana and Theoogene Ndagijimana.

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