Platinum’s new signings ready for Al Ahly battle
Charmaine Chasweka
Zimbabwe’s representatives in the CAF champions league FC Platinum say they will unleash some of their new signings when they face Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Saturday.
Last week the Zimbabwe champions recruited former Hwange defender Nomore Chinyerere and former Manica Diamonds striker Stanely Ngala.
FC Platinum assistant coach Lizwe Sweswe who is likely to take charge of the team, confirmed the trio’s availability.
“Yes they are going to play and have been registered (for CAF Champions League),” said Sweswe.
The miners will be looking for their first win in this continental club competition having lost all their three outings- 2-1 away to Al-Hilal (Sudan), 3-0 to Etoile du Sahel(Tunisia) at home and 2-0 at Al Ahly.
FC Platinum recently unveiled former Highlanders coach Pieter de Jongh as the new man in charge but is not available for this match due to work permit issues.
Sweswe, who has been leading the team since the departure of Norman Mapeza last season, remains confident of a positive result ahead of the Saturday game.
“We remain confident. We need to push hard because Al Ahly are a good team. We are going to give our best for a win,” he said.
The availability of Ngala will give Sweswe more options upfront since his strike force has been blunt.
They have scored once in the competition so far through a Never Tigere free-kick against Hilal and conceded seven.
The championship winning coach acknowledges the need for his strikers to rise to the occasion ahead of the encounter.
He however emphasized the need for his boys to work as a team and deliver a positive result for their fans and the nation.
The Zvishavane miners are participating in the CAF Champions’ League group stage for the second year running.
