Zimbabwe’s representatives in the Caf Champions League FC Platinum, who will be playing their first leg first round clash against Sudanese giants El Merreikh away from their Mandava fortress, have appealed to Harare fans to make Rufaro Stadium inhospitable for the visitors.
The match between the North Africans and the platinum miners was moved to Rufaro after Caf ruled that Zvisvavane does not have accommodation that meets its requirements.
However, FC Platinum’s secretary Phil Muvengwa said although they would have loved to play the match in Zvishavane, they would be equally at home at Rufaro as they would still be in Zimbabwe.
“Our usual home ground is Mandava, but since this is an international match we are prepared to play anywhere. We are a Zimbabwean team playing against a club from Sudan and expect everyone of our countrymen to support us. This is different from playing CAPS United.
“Obviously if Rufaro is going to be full, it will be because Harare fans will have come in their thousands. My appeal to them is to come and support the team because this is a national cause. We are not only appealing to FC Platinum fans, but every soccer lover,” he said.
Muvengwa also revealed that there were plans to bus supporters from Zvishavane for the match.
As has become the norm, FC Platinum will be looking at Charles Sibanda, captain Zephaniah Ngodzo and the evergreen Donald “Dombo” Ngoma to see them through.
The side will be looking at building on the demolition of Swaziland side Green Mamba in the preliminary round of the competition.
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While FC Platinum are in their debut season in the competition, El Merreikh have made seven appearance and reached the group phase of the competition in 2009.
Last year, El Merreikh, who have won the championship in their country 18 times, bowed out of the competition in the first round. In 2007, they were runners-up in the less glamorous Confederation Cup.
For this game, the Sudanese champions have brought nine international players with seven of them playing for the Sudan national team.
Sudan national team members are goalkeeper Akram El had Salim, midfielders Feisal Musa, Rahman Krango, Omar Moseab, defenders Ahmed Basha and Eldin Abdullah. The team that is coached by Brazilian Heron Ricardo Ferreira also has Zambian national Jonas Sakuwasha and Ivorian Pascal Wawa.
