Sports Reporter
GD Sagrada Esperanca…………………0
FC Platinum …………………………………0
FC PLATINUM’s youthful defender, Kelvin Mangiza, was dismissed in the second half as the Zimbabwean outfit held out for a goalless draw against Angolan side GD Sagrada Esperanca in a CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg match in Luanda yesterday.
The 20-year-old was sent for an early shower late in the second half, but FC Platinum still managed to keep a clean sheet ahead of Saturday’s reverse tie at the National Sports Stadium.
Norman Mapeza’s men will however, have to avoid a scoring draw if they are to advance beyond the preliminary stage of Africa’s biggest club football competition.
The winners of the tie will face either Royal Leopards of Lesotho or ZESCO United of Zambia in the first round.
Perennial Lesotho campaigners Royal Leopards carry a 1-0 lead into next week’s return leg in Zambia.
According to reports from Luanda, veteran FC Platinum goalkeeper, Petros Mhari, kept the visitors in the game with some crucial saves, especially in the 65th minute when he smothered a free-kick from the edge of the box.
Mapeza threw in experienced strikers Rodwell Chinyengetere and club returnee Donald Ngoma for Silas Songani and Hagiazo Magaya in the second half but the pair also failed to find their range.
The former Warriors coach will now be hoping that his strikers get it right on home soil.
FC Platinum will have to play in Harare as their favourite hunting ground – Mandava – is not certified by CAF.