MAPEZA’S BIG TEST

FC Platinum face a big test when they face Tanzanian giants Simba SC in a CAF Champions League first round, first leg tie at the National Sports Stadium today.

Coach Norman Mapeza says the preparations for the encounter went well.

“So far so good, we can’t complain. We have Silas Songani who picked up an injury against Costa de Sol and Ralph Kawondera, who picked up a knock when we played against Eagles but we are still assessing them.

“And we will know by tomorrow morning (today) if they are fit to play.

“But as for the rest of the guys everything is okay,” he said.

Mapeza describes Simba SC as a team of quality.

“They are a quality side, with a lot of quality players and you can tell from the squad. They have some guys from Ivory Coast, Zambia and Mozambique and it shows their intentions towards this tournament.

“And we have some video analysis that we did; the guys are good.

“It’s a game of football and it’s all up to us. We need to maximize on our home advantage.

“But at the end of the day we have to put everything into this match if we are definitely going to come up with something because we are playing against a quality side,” he said.

Simba SC reached the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League in the last edition.

“They were knocked out in the quarter final stage and for them to go that far it shows quality and they have also boosted their squad.

“But we have prepared well for the game and we have to have concentration and put everything when playing against team like these,” he said.