FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza is confident his side will bounce back from their Caf Confederation Cup elimination and register a positive result against Flame Lily in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash at Mandava Stadium this afternoon.
BY SAKHELENI NXUMALO
Pure Platinum Play lost 5-2 on aggregate to Young Africans of Tanzania to exit the continental competition at the first round stage, but Mapeza believes his players have already recovered from that disappointment. “Everything is fine in our camp and we are now focusing on the league and expect to get a positive result against Flame Lily,” Mapeza said.
FC Platinum have garnered just a single point in two games after being held 2-2 by debutants Dongo Sawmill in Week One and going down 1-0 to Caps United in the second week of PSL action. The hosts will, therefore, be hoping to collect their first full set of points but this may not be easy as Flame Lily are in a similar situation.
Platinum president George Mawere, in a statement yesterday, said after their adventure in Africa, focus is shifting to the league. “FC Platinum’s run in the Caf Confederation Cup came to an end following the 1-0 victory against Young Africans of Tanzania on Saturday 4th April 2015 which meant that the club was eliminated from the competition on a 5 – 2 aggregate score.
“It was an interesting campaign where the club posted an emphatic 4–2 aggregate over Sofapaka Football Club of Kenya in the preliminary round fixture to proceed to the first round. The club has gained valuable experience in the competition and focus has now been shifted to the league campaign,” Mawere said.
Nesbert Saruchera’s charges are also searching for their first win in the top-flight after losing 2-1 to Chicken Inn in their first match before registering one all draws against Whawha and How Mine in their last two matches. The correctional services side gave a good account of themselves against star-studded How Mine on Easter Sunday and could have emerged victorious had their forwards been more clinical.
Saruchera is hoping that luck will be on his side this afternoon. “We are still waiting for our first three points and we are optimistic that victory will be ours against FC Platinum,” he said.
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Saruchera said Flame Lily will be without the experienced Shadreck Jimu who picked up a groin injury during the game against How Mine while Mapeza said all his players were available for selection.
Flame Lily forward Prosper Chinyama impressed after coming on for injured goal scorer Wirimai Mukudo on Sunday and may once again be used as an impact player by Saruchera this afternoon.
FC Platinum’s Walter Musona managed to score home and away against Young Africans and Mapeza will be hoping the Young Warriors starlet continues with his goal scoring form this afternoon.
