FC PLATINUM will take a full, injury free squad for their first leg, first round Caf Confederation Cup match against Young Africans at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium this Sunday. BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
Coach Norman Mapeza confirmed a clean bill of health in his camp.
“We started training on Monday and all the players reported for duty without any injury worries,” continued Mapeza.
Mapeza challenged his charges to contain the pressure his side is likely to face away to the Tanzanian Vodacom Premier League leaders, who are going into the match on the back of 1-0 loss to bitter rivals Simba SC.
“Football is a pressure game that is what it is all about, and the players have to withstand the pressure involved in the game. You have to contain the pressure playing whatever competition either competitive or friendly matches,” said Mapeza.
The team will fly to Tanzania on Friday and they will have a day to get used to the climatic conditions of Tanzania before the game on Sunday.
With a full house expected on Sunday, Platinum will also get support from their band of supporters, who will be leaving tomorrow for the match.
Said the club’s media liaison officer Chido Chizondo: “Our bus will be going to Tanzania with supporters on Thursday (tomorrow). We want the supporters to come in their numbers and cheer the team that is why we are making an effort to have them travel with their team. We have subsidised the bus fare to only US$57 for their return tickets,” she said.
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Young Africans could still be without the services of their playmaker, Andrey Coutinho, who missed the match against Simba due to injury.
The Brazilian, who sustained an injury during their 3-0 league thrashing of Tanzania Prisons in Mbeya last week, failed to recover in time for the derby encounter, but Yanga is hopeful he could be available for Platinum.
Coutinho was also omitted from the team that travelled to Botswana for the CAF Confederation Cup second leg showdown against BDF XI three weeks ago. Simon Msuva picked a knock against BDF XI, but played against Simba.
