Tarumbwa warns FC Platinum

Sport
FORMER Sofapaka FC striker Obadiah Tarumbwa, who spent almost a season in 2013 with the side, said FC Platinum should brace for a tough encounter against the Kenyan side away from home as the club plays a speedy game and has very good attackers.

FORMER Sofapaka FC striker Obadiah Tarumbwa, who spent almost a season in 2013 with the side, said FC Platinum should brace for a tough encounter against the Kenyan side away from home as the club plays a speedy game and has very good attackers.

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FC Platinum take on the Kenya Premier League side on Sunday at Nyayo National Sports Stadium in Nairobi in the first leg preliminary round of the Orange Caf Confederation Cup.

The former Highlanders globe-trotting striker, whose football career has taken him to Belgium, Cyprus, Kenya and South Africa, was, however, quick to point out that if FC Platinum hold their fort in Kenya, they will definitely beat the East Africans back home after what he saw in the friendly match against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

“They (Sofapaka) are a good side, but it’s been two years since I left the club,” he said.

“Things might have changed since I left, but what I know is they play a running game.

They have very good attackers and wing play although they are not that good in defence.

“FC Platinum should be wary of Sofapaka in Kenya, but I saw them play Highlanders on Saturday.

They (Platinum) have very good young players, who play passing football and are also good in attack.

Whatever the result in Kenya, I am sure FC Platinum will beat Sofapaka back home.”

Platinum played a 1-1 draw with Bosso on Saturday. Young Tatenda Dzumbunu, Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona troubled Highlanders aided by the experience of skipper Thabani Kamusoko, especially in the first half.

Tarumbwa, now at Bantu Rovers, urged the platinum miners to brace for playing on the Nyayo National Stadium astro turf.

“The other problem that FC Platinum players might face is playing on artificial turf which we are not used to here, but Sofapaka play mainly on that turf there and they will have problems playing on grass here,” he said.

“Either way, it is an advantage for Platinum as they go there first.

If they manage to hold their own and play a draw there, I am sure they will win here. I think they will play for a draw in Kenya.

“I have been chatting to a friend of mine there (Danson) Kago and he says they are ready for FC Platinum.”

Kago is a midfielder at Sofapaka.

FC Platinum are joined this week by head coach Norman Mapeza, who has been in class attending the Caf A Licence coaching course in Harare.

They leave for Kenya on Friday, giving them only Saturday to acclimatise before the match on Sunday.