FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza is working on overhauling his squad ahead of the CAF Confederations Cup next year. MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The club will represent Zimbabwe in the African Safari following their triumph in the Chibuku Super Cup.
Mapeza’s men will know their opponents in Africa on Sunday when the draw for the preliminary stages of Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup is made in Cairo.
FC Platinum is the country’s sole representative in the continent after Champions Dynamos withdrew from the CAF Champions League citing financial limitations.
The Zvishavane-based side is making a return to African football following a maiden dance with the continent’s elite boys in 2012.
Mapeza’s team finished the season strongly, losing just twice since the former Warriors coach took over the reins.
Despite that good run of form in the later stages of the season, the former Warriors mentor is still not convinced that the squad could hold its own against Africa’s finest.
“We want to build a strong team and we are looking at adding some new faces to the team.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“When you are building a team you build everything.
“There is no position I can single out, but we will build the whole team.
“We are still negotiating with some guys and it’s too early to talk about them because negotiations are still in progress.
“We also have some players whose contracts are expiring soon and we are offering extensions to some of them,” Mapeza said.
While Mapeza refused to divulge names of players who could be heading for Mandava next season, reports suggest that Caps United utility player Tendai Samanja and Black Rhinos midfielder Brian Muzondiwa are some of the players.
Senior players like Nelson Maziwisa, Daniel Vheremu and Tarisai Rukanda got very little action under Mapeza and now face an uncertain future at Kugona Kunenge Kudada. It appears the club wants to invest in the youth.
Veterans Benjamin Marere and Talbert Shumba have already left the ambitious club, and many are expected to follow suit as Mapeza seems to be preparing the team for the future.
Meanwhile, the platinum miners should be able to play their home games in the African Safari at their favourite hunting ground Mandava Stadium after the renovations of a local hotel.
In 2012 the club was ordered to play their games away from the mining town of Zvishavane, as the city failed to meet Caf requirements on accommodation.
But that problem seems to have been addressed after renovations at three star Pote Hill Hotel.
