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NewsDay

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Sadiki boost for FC Platinum

Sport
FC PLATINUM midfielder Ali Sadiki returns to action this weekend after a two-week injury-inspired lay off, to face Hwange in the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup on Sunday at the Colliery.

FC PLATINUM midfielder Ali Sadiki returns to action this weekend after a two-week injury-inspired lay off, to face Hwange in the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup on Sunday at the Colliery.

Sadiki’s return could just be the tonic needed by FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa, who is looking to proceed to the next round of the cash-rich tourney and atone for his loss to rivals Shabanie in the final BancABC Sup8r Cup final last weekend.

The former Aces academy and Gunners midfielder picked up a knock while on national duty in the Warriors’ World Cup qualifier match against Mozambique at Rufaro Stadium.

His void was greatly felt at Kugona Kunenge Kudada, as the Zvishavane side struggled for rhythm in his absence, and Charles Sibanda, with whom Sadiki has formed a formidable partnership, often appeared a lost man in the middle of the park.

Mutasa confirmed Sadiki’s return NewsDay Sports.

“I can confirm that Sadiki is back now after the long layoff. He started light training last week and this week, he has been training with the team. He is now fit and eligible for selection.

“Sadiki is a good player, a potential game changer, but we also have a number of players in the squad who are good enough. So I feel he has to fight for his position,” he said.

Mutasa, who is slowly coming under pressure after his side’s huffing and puffing performance since he took the reins in June, said he would be going for broke against Hwange.

“We will try and bounce back quickly so that we can also regain our confidence. We learnt our lesson against Shabanie and I feel this time we will work hard to win the match in regulation time. “I have been telling my boys that they should take every chance we create and bury it and I hope they are getting the message,” Mutasa said. He added: “Every Premiership side is good enough to cause an upset. There is no small team anymore and we need to get rid of such a mentality. We need to win this match at all costs”.

The platinum miners have enjoyed relative dominance over Hwange in league clashes since 2011 when the Zvishavane side gained promotion into top-flight football.

FC Platinum have won four of the six encounters with Hwange while Hwange won just once, with the other match ending in a draw.