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CAPS United, Ngezi date with destiny

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THIS weekend, Zimbabwe’s African safari representatives CAPS United and Ngezi Platinum Stars date with destiny in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Angola respectively.
CAPS United take on one of Africa’s best, TP Mazembe, in a Champions League first round first leg match at Stade du TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi while Confederation Cup representatives, Ngezi Platinum Stars, face-off with Recreativo do Libolo at the Estádio Municipal de Calulo in another first leg match.
The Harare giants face one of the toughest opponents in continental club football, TP Mazembe, who have become a household name in Africa.
The return leg is scheduled for Harare a week later.
Winner of the two-legged tie progresses to the lucrative group stages of the competition.
Last year, TP Mazembe failed to reach the group stage phase and were relegated to the Confederation Cup they went on to win.
With more than 30 appearances in all club competitions, TP Mazembe pose a lot of danger to Lloyd Chitembwe’s CAPS United.
TP Mazembe hail from Lubumbashi, DRC’s second-largest city, situated in the south-eastern part of the gigantic country.
Lubumbashi is the mining capital of the DRC, acting as a hub for many of the country’s biggest mining companies.
The copper-mining city serves as the capital of the relatively prosperous Katanga Province and is near the border with Zambia.
Its population is around 1,5 million.
Owned by one of the richest men in the DRC, Moise Katumbi, the Ravens, as TP Mazembe are affectionately known, have a good record at home.
And CAPS United must not read much into the fact that Mazembe have a new coach, Thierry Froger,who is yet to fully bond with the team.
The coach might be relatively new to the set-up but there are talented players in the Lubumbashi-based outfit.
Several players from countries like Zambia, Mali, Ghana and the Ivory Coast are among the host of players at TP Mazembe.
Goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba, defender Joel Kimwaki and Zambian midfielder Rainford Kalaba are some of the veterans driving the Lubumbashi-based outfit.
The Ravens once met Zimbabwean side Dynamos in a champions league group match and won 2-0 at Rufaro Stadium in July 2010.
The reverse fixture was played in September that same year and the Zimbabwean giants lost 1-2 to the Congolese side.
Having a good record against Dynamos, CAPS United believe they have the pedigree to outwit the Congolese giants.
Though not one of the best – in terms of individual talent – the current class at CAPS United banks more on experience and playing as a unit.
The outing will definitely put to test Chitembwe’s mettle.
The former CAPS United midfielder is likely to entrust the goals to Edmore Sibanda, who has not disappointed in recent outings.
The giant shot-stopper played a pivotal role in ensuring the Harare giants progress to the next round of the competition.
He made numerous saves to keep visitors’ Lioli of Lesotho at bay.
In defence, skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi, Denis Dauda and Justice Jangano might be the options for Sunday. A more defensive formation will be ideal.
The best result for CAPS United is a scoring draw or a victory.
Joel Ngodzo and Ronald Chitiyo’s creativity is expected to engineer all the damaging moves in the opponent’s half.
Dominic Chungwa is expected to upset the TP Mazembe defence while Tafadzwa Rusike may add arsenal to the CAPS United attack.
Meanwhile, debutants Ngezi Platinum Stars take their fight to Angola tomorrow. Ngezi Platinum Stars beat Pamplemousse of Mauritius 2-1 on aggregate to secure a berth in the first round of the Confederation Cup.
The reverse fixture will be played in Harare a week later.
The platinum miners will use the National Sports Stadium after their venue was found to have no hotel facility within a 90km radius.
After securing a one-all draw in Mauritius, Ngezi Platinum Stars won 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium to register the 2-1 aggregate victory.
It’s the first time the team is playing in the African safari.
The team was promoted into the premiership last year.
However, the Mhondoro-Ngezi-based side will have to make do without striker Kelvin Bulaji and defender Byron Madzokere.
Bulaji suffered an ankle injury while Madzokere is nursing a groin injury.
So far Dynamos are the only Zimbabwean team to play in a Champions League final.
The Dynamos class of 1998 reached the finals but lost the match due to dirty tricks employed by Asec Mimosas of the Ivory Coast.

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