FC Platinum of Zimbabwe have a herculean task as they face off with Young Africans(Yanga) of Tanzania in the second round of the CAF Confederations cup match scheduled for Mandava stadium in Zvishavane in Masvingo province.
The host FC Platinum were handed a heavy defeat in the CAF Confederations Cup three weeks ago in Dar Es Salaam when they were hammered 5-1 by Young African Sports Club in Tanzania a team with well documented pedigree in Continental football .
It is a day the Zimbabwean miners would love to quickly forget as the Norman Mapeza’s men were outplayed throughout the match and succumbed to early pressure ,but held on until they eventually conceded in the 33rd minute.
FC Platinum were losing 2-0 heading into halftime break but scored an ,important away goal through Walter Musona just before the break to had themselves a life line.
However things fell apart as they conceded two quick goals just after halftime and then a fifth later in the half leaving them with an uphill task over the weekend as they expect to turn the tables needing a massive 6 goals .
It will be a game to the advantage of Yanga who basically need any kind of draw or even if they lose with a smaller margin they are assured of proceeding to the next stage of the competition.
FC Platinum safely negotiated their way into the first round of the African Confederation Cup by dumping out Kenyan side Sofapaka FC 4-2 on aggregate while Young African popularly known as Yanga won their preliminary round clash against Botswana Defence Forces 3-2 on aggregate.
Yanga will miss the services of Andrey Coutinho, Kpah Sherman and Jeryson Tegete who were all declared unfit for the match by physician Juma Suphian.
Yanga’s coach Hans Van Pluijm is buoyant after recent good performances by his charges in the Tanzania Vodacom League after his side grabbed a 3-1 win over JKT Ruvu giving his team a timely psychological boost ahead of FC Platinum clash on Saturday.”Offcourse victory has a morale boosting effect and great impact to the team ahead of an important CAF Confed match against FC Platinum as it gives us more impetus and confidence”Pluijm said.
On the other hand FC Platinum coach former Zimbabwe International NORMAN Mapeza is putting up a brave face in the wake of FC Platinum’s poor start to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season which has seen the Zvishavane miners earning a single point in two matches and staring elimination from continental competition.
They were held to a two-all draw by debutants Dongo Sawmills in their first PSL match and lost 1-0 at the weekend to Caps United on Sunday.
Yanga come into town for the second leg of the Confederation Cup first round tie, with Mapeza maintaining an air of calm.
“Like I said on Sunday after the Caps game, it is still early in the season to press the panic button because there are many games still to be played,” he said.
The former national team captain who had a stint as Warriors coach, was in a similar situation in 2008 when his then team Monomotapa lost the first four games of the season, but went on to lift the league title.
Probable FC Platinum XI: P. Mhari, R. Muduviwa, G.Bello, K. Moyo, E.Moyo, T.Kamusoko, W. Kamudyariwa, W. Mutasa, O.Chirwa, B. Muzondiwa W. Musona
