FC PLATINUM will today know their opponents in the Caf Confederation Cup when the draw for the preliminary stages of both the Caf Champions League and the Confed Cup is held in Cairo, Egypt.
HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
Algerian side, ES Setif, won the last edition of Caf Champions League against AS Vita club of Democratic Republic of Congo while Egyptian side, Al Ahly, won the Confederation Cup against Sewe Sport.
Matches of both tournaments will start after Caf Super Cup between ES Setif and Al Ahly in February.
The well-resourced FC Platinum is the only local club who will represent the country in the continental interclub competitions this year after league champions Dynamos FC pulled out citing financial problems.
FC Platinum won the right to play in the Confed Cup after their penalty shoot-out triumph in the Chibuku Super Cup where they beat Harare City in the final match played at Mandava Stadium.
Dynamos were due to take part in the Caf Champions League, but skipped the chance of returning to Africa’s premier club competitions leaving FC Platinum to shoulder all the country’s expectations in continental football next year.
The Norman Mapeza-coached team have said they expect to finalise their squad for the competition by the end of this week, with a number of top players set to join the Zvishavane based club.
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Bernard Donovan and Emmanuel Mandiranga should join on a season loan from Aces Youth Academy anytime soon while Tendai Samanja and Brian Muzondiwa have been linked with a possible move to the club.
Some of FC Platinum’s probable opponents from the region include South African side Bidvest Wits, which is home to Onismor Bhasera and former Champions League winners Orlando Pirates.
Zambia’s Power Dynamos, who finished second in the just-ended season, are coached by former Platinum, boss Tennant Chilumba and will also take part in the Confed Cup.
FC Platinum is well sponsored by their parent company Mimosa Mining Company, but they have not waited to be baby-fed, venturing into various enterprises to raise their own funds in line with Caf Club Licensing Regulations.
They will be returning to the competition after making a bow two years ago, just a year after they were promoted into the Premier League.
However, they were knocked out in the second round after losing 0-3 to El Merreikh of Sudan.
They, under Rahman Gumbo, had swept past Swaziland’s Green Mamba beating them home and away.
