The Sunday Mail
Mukudzei Chingwere in LUANDA, Angola
AFTER holding two training sessions on Friday, FC Platinum players spent the better part of Saturday relaxing at their hotel ahead of today’s Caf Champions League preliminary round first leg encounter against Club Desportivo 1st de Agosto.
The match is at the 11 November Stadium and kicks off at 5pm Zimbabwean time.
Reigning Soccer Star of the Year Rodwell Chinyengetere is in a bullish mood as Pure Platinum Play make a return to the African safari having last participated in 2012.
Chinyengetere drew attention from the locals during the two Friday sessions and the former Hwange star has been touted as FC Platinum’s main man.
Yesterday, the veteran forward told The Sunday Mail Sport that he was not intimidated at all by the huge attention he is receiving and immediately declared war on the Angolans.
“That people are talking about me is nothing to worry about; football has always been like that and I am not intimidated by the attention at all. We approach the match like a war situation, it is actually war, but we are ready for them,” said Chinyengetere.
“In terms of our preparations we have done everything, that is why I am saying we are ready. Playing away from home is always a disadvantage but we just have to get a positive result here because they will also come to Zimbabwe.”
The platinum miners have been here since Thursday night to get used to the weather conditions which are usually hot and humid.
At some point yesterday the temperatures reached 33 degrees Celsius.
FC Platinum have gone out of their way to tame the usually notoriously unforgiving jungle of African football in preparation of what they hope will be a successful CAF Champions League campaign.
The team arrived here with their cooks and interpreters to deflect cultural barriers in the Lusophone country.
Impressive former ZPC Kariba midfielder Never Tigere, who is proving to be the signing of the pre-season, said he was ready to make his mark on the continent.
“I have never played in this competition before, but if selected into the team by the coach I am ready to play and do my best.
“I am excited and raring to go, I do not know if I had a good pre-season that is for others to judge, but for me I am always working on improving in each and every game I play.
“The atmosphere here is not bad and we are ready for the game. Everyone in camp is relaxed and raring to go, but we are very much aware that it will not be easy, so we have to work hard,” warned Tigere.
Mapeza is likely to retain faith in the players that restricted Nkana Red Devils to a goalless draw at Mandava a week ago. Former Warriors centre-back Lawrence Mhlanga is expected to play his first official match in over a year after spending the whole of last season on the sidelines because of a contractual logjam between FC Platinum and Chicken Inn. New signings Tigere and Rahman Kutsanzira are also expected to play their first official match for their new paymasters here.
Veteran striker Mkhokheli Dube will likely lead the line as FC Platinum hunt for goals that will make life easier in the return leg.
Agosto assistant coach Ivo Traca said some of their players were un- available for selection but what they had enough to get a result against the Zimbabweans.
“We have some of our players that will not be available for this match but it does not matter those who are available can do the job. We have done our research on this team and I have confidence we will win,” he said.
The Angolan side has talented players like Geraldo Costa, Bua Pedro and Bobo Vugenda; while Nigerian striker Yissa will likely lead the hunt for goals.
FC Platinum probable line-up
Wallace Magalane, Raphael Mudhuviwa, Elvis Moyo, Lawarence Mhlanga, Kelvin Moyo, Winston Mhango, Rahman Kutsanzira, Never Tigere, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Ali Sadiki, Mkhokheli Dube
