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Norman Mapeza

From Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
THE Zvishavane community is excited to play host to the Caf Confederation Cup match between FC Platinum and Kenya’s Sofapaka this afternoon.
The news has been welcomed in the mining town and even yesterday people were still inquiring if it was true after the failure to arrive by the Kenyans.Zvishavane was dealt a major blow in 2012 when Caf moved the Champions League first round match between FC Platinum and El Merreikh to Rufaro Stadium depriving the fans of the chance to watch the Sudanese because there was no suitable accomodation.

“I am excited to watch my team for the first time. We are going to win tomorrow and I predict a 3-2 victory,” said Maxwell Mukamuri, a boilermaker at Mimosa Mining Company.

“I’ve been accorded an opportunity to see how other clubs on the continent play. I am excited with the development and I’ll support FC Platinum because I can’t support a team that I don’t know,” said Dennis Gwenzi, a foreign currency dealer.

Maxwell Gwafa, a gold miner who also runs a taxi business welcomed the match. “It improves our business in the mining town and Zvishavane will be recognised on the continent. Our hotels, taxis, ice cream vendors will make a killing during the period so it’s a welcome move to us,” said Gwafa.

Muchanyara Chitera, a housewife, said it was an opportunity to watch a foreign club playing at Mandava.

“It feels great to watch a team from Kenya playing here (Mandava) I’m ready to celebrate a 2-0 victory tomorrow,” she said.

A Caps United fan, Renias Maseko, said it was good that FC Platinum were the sole representatives of Zimbabwe and called upon all fans to rally behind the club.

“I’m a Makepekepe fan but FC Platinum is representing all the clubs here so I’ll be supporting them. It’s a big game in the mining town to have a team from as far as Kenya and I’m prepared to watch top class football,” said Maseko.

Chief Mafala who never misses a match in the mining town was thrilled with the game coming to Zvishavane.

“Zimbabwe is a peace-loving country and it’s good to have visitors coming to our area. Our country is a safe tourist destination and I’m happy that the local hotels, shops and vendors will make money from hosting the match. I wish FC Platinum all the best and they must proceed to the next round and may be the final,” he said.

Never Mavhima expects a 3-0 win for the hosts.

A prominent Shabanie Mine supporter, Mark Shoko who sells mobile phones was the odd one out. He wants a Sofapaka win.

“I’m happy that by merely coming here Sofapaka will have many fans that will rally behind them and they already have an upper hand because of the 12th man.  I’m just encouraging them to play attacking football but it’s unfortunate that they are going to arrive late because we wanted to buy their regalia. FC Platinum were celebrating when we were being relegated so I will never like them,” said Shoko.

Everyone in the mining town is ready for the big match this afternoon in which FC Platinum have a slender lead after winning 2-1 in Nairobi, Kenya, two weeks ago.