FC PLATINUM’S Zambian international defender Aaron Katebe will miss the Chibuku Super Cup final against Harare City at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane on Sunday as the player has been called up for duty in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
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Katebe is one of the seven Zambians who have been called up for Chipolopolo’s crucial 2015 Afcon qualifiers against Mozambique and Cape Verde on November 15 and 19 respectively.
FC Platinum media liaison officer Chido Chizondo yesterday confirmed that the defender would not be part of the cup final team.
“Aaron has been called up for international duty for 2015 Afcon qualifiers against Mozambique and Cape Verde,” she said.
“He will be missing in action in the Chibuku Super Cup final. We will definitely miss him because he is very strong at the back. However, we have enough depth in the team. We have to do without him.”
There is uncertainty on staging of Afcon finals next year as Morocco have indicated that it will not be in a position to host the competition owing to the outbreak of Ebola.
Caf met yesterday to decide on the next course of action.
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The Zvishavane side is enjoying a rich vein of form under former Warriors coach Norman Mapeza and will finish in the top four at the end of the season and play in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
They have an easy last match against Chiredzi at home.
But for now, Chizondo said their focus was on Sunday’s match against Harare City.
“Obviously we want to win the cup competition, but Harare City are a very strong side and we can’t take anything away from them,” she said.
“May the better team on the day win.”
To get to the final, FC Platinum beat army side Black Rhinos 1-0 in the semi-final while Harare City beat Highlanders 3-0.
Despite finding the going tough in the league, Harare City will want to win the cup final which would be their first-ever silverware since they were promoted.
Harare City are on position 12 on the league and they are one of the teams that could be relegated depending on the outcome of the last league matches.
Winners will pocket $75 000, while the losing finalist will take home $50 000.