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FC Platinum players lift the PSL Cup

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League champions FC Platinum will have to overcome Angolan side Desportivo de Agosto in the preliminary round of the 2018 Caf Champions League after the two sides were drawn against each other in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday.

The winner of the preliminary round will face either South Africa’s Bidvest Wits or Pamplemousses of Mauritius for a place in the lucrative Total Caf Champions League Group Stages.

Pure Platinum Play will begin their journey away in Angola on the weekend of February 9-11, 2018, with the home leg set for the following weekend.

A win over the Angolan side, whose home ground is the 49 000-seater Estadio 11 de Novembro Stadium, will see FC Platinum hosting the winner between Bidvest Wits and Pamplemousse in the first round proper of the tournament on the weekend of March 9-11.

Wits have had a nightmarish campaign in the Absa Premiership despite being coached by shrewd schemer Gavin Hunt.

The draw for the group stage, which FC Platinum have already set their sights on, will be conducted in April.

Only four clubs were exempt from the preliminary rounds, TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Esperance of Tunisia, Ahly Ahly of Egypt, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

With the group stages consisting of four groups, FC Platinum will have to punch above their weight if they are to leave a mark on the continent.

Zimbabwe will not be represented in the Caf Confederation Cup after Harare City pulled out of the competition after being relegated from the Premiership.

@skhumoyo2000