Zanzibar’s Jamhuri Football Club jet into the country on Thursday.
They plot the almost insurmountable task of avenging the 3-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Hwange in the first leg preliminary round of the Caf Confederation Cup.
The match is at the Colliery Stadium on Sunday.
Zifa’s communications manager Nicky Dlamini on Tuesday said Jamhuri arrive at Harare International Airport on Thursday before flying to the resort town of Victoria Falls and driving to Hwange, 100km away from the resort town.
“They will arrive in Harare at 12:35pm on March 1 (Thursday), fly to Victoria Falls and then travel to Hwange by road,” Dlamini said.
Hwange secretary-general Burzil Dube on Tuesday said he was not aware of Jamhuri’s itinerary yet, but upon arrival, the Indian Ocean islanders will put up in Victoria Falls.
Dube said the Hwange Colliery Stadium, with a capacity of 15 000, has been spruced up and is ready to host the continental tournament match.
The Colliery Stadium has been approved by Caf to host international matches after Zifa sent a report on the state of the facility to the continental football body.
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The stadium was inspected by Zifa’s Grounds Committee led by Premier Soccer League chairman Twine Phiri. The committee compiled the report sent to Caf.
Jamhuri lost 3-0 to Hwange in front of their home crowd at Gombani Stadium in Pemba on February 18 and Dube yesterday said the coal miners would be finishing off their opponents.
“Everything is set and the stadium is ready. We just have to finish off from where we left,” Dube said.
Hwange started training on Thursday in preparation for the match after losing 2-0 to Caf Champions League representatives FC Platinum in the final of the Bob 88 Super Cup at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
Chipangano’s technical manager Tennant Chilumba said his squad should guard against complacency and should not lose concentration, but focus on the match.
Chilumba said Jamhuri are a good team capable of scoring the three goals that were scored against them in Zanzibar.
However, he said he was confident his team would pull through and reach the quarter-finals of the continental showcase.
Chilumba said he would make a few changes to the team, especially on players lacking the requisite experience for the Confederation Cup.
