The African football jungle proved too much for FC Platinum and Hwange to handle at the weekend as both teams crashed out of the Caf Champions League and Confederations Cup respectively.
Platinum, who were making their first attempt in the continent’s top club competition, were overwhelmed 3-0 by El Merreikh of Sudan on Saturday night in the first round, second leg. They had played a 2-2 draw at Rufaro Stadium in the first leg.
Brave Hwange drew 0-0 against Al Amal Atbara, but went out on the away goals rule after playing a 1-1 draw at home in the Confederation Cup, two weeks ago at the Colliery.
In Omdurman, a brace from star striker Osunwa and one goal from Zambian striker Jonas Sakuwaha secured the hosts a big win over the Zimbabwean side in Omdurman.
Osunwa was on target in the eighth and 43rd minutes, while Sakuwaha added one in-between, in the 19th minute from the penalty spot.
Platinum’s plot was lost when they conceded two goals at “home” after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) denied them the opportunity to use their home ground, Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane, due to accommodation issues.
Coming back home, Platinum and Hwange will clash in the semi-final of the Independence Trophy on Wednesday at Mandava before their first league encounter at the Colliery on Sunday.
The other team in Africa, Dynamos, progressed to meet defending champions Esperance later this month after beating Liga Muculmana 1-0 for a 3-2 aggregate win on Sunday at Rufaro.
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Esperance dumped Gambia’s Brikama 4-2 on aggregate after they won 3-1 at home while Edward Sadomba’s Al Hilal trounced DFC 8e Arrondissement of Central African Republic 5-1 to go through 8-1 on aggregate.
Dynamos, meanwhile, yesterday said only 23 469 people paid their way into the stadium and a gross of $111 773 was realised from their Caf Champions League clash against Liga Muculmana of Mozambique on Sunday.
After all expenses in which the Harare City Council claimed the biggest chunk of 20%, the home team went home with only $52 936. The city council were the biggest beneficiary of the big crowd as they claimed their 20% of the gross income for the usage of the stadium, an amount which totalled $22 354,60.
Zifa also took their 15%, which is $16 765,95, while the Sports and Recreation Commission is entitled to 6% for every match played in Zimbabwe. The supreme sport governing body collected $6 706,38.
Caf got their 5% of the gross total, an amount of $5 588,65, while a 2% share of $2 235,46 was forwarded to world football governing body Fifa. The Zimbabwe Republic Police collected $4 300 for the officers they deployed at the stadium while a private security company hired for the match was given $850.
Dynamos treasurer Moses Chikwariro said the remaining $35 covered sundry expenses.
Second round fixtures 27-29/04/12: Al Hilal v AS Chlef 11-13/05/12: AS Chlef v Al Hilal 27-29/04/12: Horoya/MAS v Zamalek 11-13/05/12: Zamalek v Horoya/MAS 27-29/04/12: Etoile du Sahel v AF Amadou Diallo 11-13/05/12: AF Amadou Diallo v Etoile du Sahel 27-29/04/12: Tonnerre/Stade Malien v Al Ahly 11-13/05/12: Al Ahly v Ton 27-29/04/12: URA/Djoliba v Sunshine Stars 11-13/05/12: Sunshine Stars v URA/Djoliba 27-29/04/12: Esperance v Dynamos 11-13/05/12: Dynamos v Esperance 27-29/04/12: Raja /Berekum v Coton Sport 11-13/05/12: Coton Sport v Raja /Berekum 27-29/04/12: TP Mazembe v El Merreikh 11-13/05/12: El Merreikh v TP Mazembe
