FC PLATINUM players, striker Donald Ngoma and midfielder Tatenda Dzumbunu have recovered well ahead of the first leg preliminary round of the Caf Confederation Cup against Kenya’s Sofapaka on Sunday after suffering slight knocks in a friendly match with Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium last Saturday. FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Zimbabwe’s only representatives in the continental tournaments this year, will fly out to Kenya tomorrow and head coach Norman Mapeza (pictured) yesterday said they were ready for the East African excursion.
“They (Ngoma and Dzumbunu) are now okay. They had just minor knocks. I think everything is fine now in our preparations for that match. We are now in our full third week. We would have liked to have a full month of preparation, but we are going to use the time that we have and I think we are ready,” the former Warriors gaffer said.
Ngoma scored the solitary goal for FC Platinum in the 1-1 draw against Bosso, but did not return for the second half, replaced by Obey Chirwa in the 46th minute after suffering an ankle knock.
Dzumbunu, who combined well in the centre with Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona, was pulled out in the 56th minute after he sustained a knock on his knee.
Wellington Kamudyariwa replaced Dzumbunu. After Saturday’s friendly match, assistant coach Patrick Mandizha said he was yet to hear from the team doctors on the nature of injuries on the two players.
However, former Warriors mentor Mapeza yesterday allayed fears of injuries ahead of the Kenya trip saying all was fine in camp.
Platinum, with a youthful squad that have twins Kevin and Elvis Moyo, Raphael Mudhuviwa, former Black Rhinos’ Brian Muzondiwa, Emmanuel Mandiranga, Mutasa and Musona, revolved play around the experience of skipper Thabani Kamusoko.
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The platinum miners have goalkeeper Petros Mhari, veteran Daniel Vheremu and Nelson Maziwisa and Zambian Aaron Katebe.
Meanwhile, Sofapaka who beat Zambian giants Power Dynamos 1-0 in a friendly match in one of their build-ups to host FC Platinum on Sunday, were due to take on Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in the DSTV/SuperSport Super Cup at Nyayo National Stadium yesterday night.
Nyayo, in Nairobi, will host FC Platinum on Sunday.
