CAPS United coach Mark Harrison says Zimbabwe Caf Confederation Cup representatives FC Platinum are battle-hardened following their participation in Africa and predicts a tough encounter when the two sides clash in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
The Caps United coach, whose team got off to a winning start against Whawha in the opening fixture at Ascot Stadium on Sunday, said the encounter against FC Platinum “will be 90 minutes of hard graft”.
The Harare giants saw off Whawha 2-1 with Rodreck Mutuma scoring a double in his debut competitive league match since crossing the floor from arch-rivals Dynamos during the pre-season.
Harrison said Whawha had a point to make and tried to make life difficult for them.
“Teams tend to raise their game when they play against Caps United and they put up a very good performance. But I think against FC Platinum, it will be 90 minutes of hard graft. They have played three games in the Caf Confederation Cup and are battle-hardened. They will be tactically aware. They will be technically better,” Harrison said.
“I think they are also aware it will not be easy against Caps United. We have no injury problems at the moment and the players have been fantastic at training. They are getting to understand what I want from them and if I am fortunate to be around for the next three to four years, you are going to see a different team,” he said after the team’s training session at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
FC Platinum, touted early title favourites, will make the trip to Harare seeking redemption after they stuttered to a 2-2 draw against Premiership new-comers Dongo Saw Mills in their opening match of the season.
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They had suffered a humiliating 5-1 at the hands of Tanzanian giants Young Africans in the first leg of an African Confederation Cup first round tie in Dar es Salaam.
After failing to collect maximum points at home, the trip to Harare is likely to be tougher for Norman Mapeza’s men.
But with midfielder Wisdom Mutasa available after missing the opening match of the season as he played for the Young Warriors in an All-Africa Games qualifier against Cameroon, FC Platinum will certainly be difficult opponents for Caps United.
Fixtures: Saturday: Harare City vs Chicken Inn (Rufaro Stadium), Flame Lily vs Whawha (Gwanzura Stadium), Chapungu vs Dynamos (Ascot Stadium), Buffaloes vs Triangle (Vengere Stadium) Sunday: Dongo Sawmills vs How Mine( Vengere Stadium), Caps United vs FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Tsholotsho vs Highlanders (Barbourfields Stadium), Hwange vs ZPC Kariba (Colliery Stadium)
