FC PLATINUM will experience the full wrath of the cold of Gweru when they visit Ascot Stadium for a date with Chapungu United in match day 14 of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tomorrow.
MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The platinum miners will come into the match aiming to become the first team to collect three points at Ascot Stadium, a feat which eluded fellow giants Dynamos, Highlanders, Caps United and Hwange.
The last time the two met, Chapungu came second-best losing 0-2 in the C G Msipa Charity Shield final played in Zvishavane.
But the visitors have since failed to live up to the standards expected of them managing only four wins in the league thus far.
Pure Platinum Play, however, will be bent on keeping up the momentum following their weekend 1-0 win against Bantu Rovers at their home venue Mandava Stadium.
While the host have defied odds on their return to top-flight football having managed to collect 15 points, nine behind log leaders Highlanders in the opening 13 league matches, they are hoping to preserve their unbeaten run at the venue.
Despite the teams’ home grounds Ascot and Mandava being separated by approximately 120km, the match remains one of the eagerly anticipated football fixture in the Midlands.
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But the duel is likely to be deflated by the absence of the respective head coaches, who are in Harare attending a Caf A Licence coaching course.
Both assistant coaches are unfazed by the absence of their bosses.
“We go into every game aiming for a victory and we are confident we can achieve that. We have adequately prepared for them. (John) Nyikadzino is not here, but we are co-operating with him in his absence giving us advice where necessary.
“All our players are fit and ready for the game with the exception of Johnson (Mabungu), but I expect him to have recovered from a knock in time for the game, Farai (Manase) is suspended and will not play this weekend but we have some players who can do the job in his absence,” Clement Mugari of Chapungu said.
“Chapungu are a difficult team to beat especially at their home. We have prepared well for them and we want to win there. Lloyd (Mutasa) is not here physically, but we are working together in his absence. That he is in not with us physically doesn’t matter.
“Most of our players will be available for the game, but Raphael (Muduviwa), Daniel (Vheremu), Donald (Ngoma) and Nelson (Maziwisa) are out injured. Although we will miss them, we have enough arsenal to cover in their absence,” Ralph Kawondera, the FC Platinum assistant coach said.
