FCP, City still to decide on Champs League, Confederation Cup

THE two clubs picked for the next edition of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup - FC Platinum and Harare City - are yet to decide if they will accept the offer to represent the country.

CAF agreed to change the calendar for the two competitions to match it with the European schedule, but the next edition starts in December and the deadline for registration is October 15.

The deadline comes before the identity of this year’s league championship is known as the league only ends either in November or December.

This has left the league’s leaders with no option but to recommend that FC Platinum and Harare City take part in the two tournaments.

FC Platinum are the current Zimbabwe champions, while Harare City are the holders of the country’s premier knock-out tournament.

“The decision has been made that we are supposed to represent the country in the Confederation Cup, but as a club we are yet to decide,” said Harare City chairman Alois Masepe, who has turned the fortunes of the club around.

“The club will have to discuss the issue and we will convene a meeting to decide on that, but for now I cannot tell if we will participate or not.

“It is the decision of the club and it’s only after we have agreed as a club that we will communicate our official position.’’

Harare City did not take part in this year’s Confederation Cup after they had slipped into Division One.

The club said they wanted to concentrate on returning to the Premiership.

However, the team was handed a lifeline when How Mine collapsed and they have played well in the Premiership under the guidance of coach Mark Harrison.

FC Platinum media liaison officer Chido Chizondo said her club would first meet its stakeholders before jumping into accepting the offer.

“The club is yet to deliberate if we are taking the offer or not, no decision has been arrived at as yet,’’ she said.

“We will need to meet as a club and come up with a decision as has always been the case.

“We need to meet some of our stakeholders before making such a commitment and after meeting the stakeholders we can then decide on the next move.’’

FC Platinum have featured in the Champions League twice.