Hwange are likely to play Zambia’s second league tier team Livingstone Pirates in a friendly match at the Maramba Stadium in Livingstone on Saturday as part of their preparations for their Confederation Cup tie against Sudanese side El Amal Otbara.
The two sides clash in the first round, first leg at the Colliery on March 23 with the reverse fixture set for Sudan a fortnight later.
Hwange manager Tenant Chilumba, whose side clobbered Tanzania’s Jamhuri to a 7-1 aggregate score in the preliminary round, admitted the Sudanese will offer a tougher challenge than they have met so far.
The Zambian national said he had little knowledge about the next opponent, hence the idea to have good preparations.
Chilumba, confirming the Pirates friendly, however said his team is ready for El Amal Otbara.
“We are likely to play Zambia’s Division One outfit Livingstone Pirates at Maramba Stadium in Livingstone, Zambia on Saturday.
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“They play in Division One, but I think this will give the team better preparations ahead of the match with the Sudanese.”
Chilumba said they would return to Zimbabwe just after the match for another friendly match against Chicken Inn on Sunday.
“We are ready for the game and we are hoping for a good result.
“We are preparing for the game against the Sudanese team though the only problem we have is that we have little knowledge on the Sudanese team,” Chilumba said yesterday.
Hwange received a major boost ahead of the first round contest with news that Tawanda Mareya, who they had acquired from Shabanie Mine for the Confederations Cup, has penned a permanent deal. There were fears that the talented midfielder might revert to Shabanie once the temporary contract had expired.
Mareya’s inclusion will add steel to the already star-studded midfield which includes returnee Farai Vimisai, who was with Dynamos last season, 2011 Footballer of the Year finalist Nkosana Siwela, Evans Rusike, Ocean Mpofu, Oscar Lungu and Rodwell Chinyengetere.