Manica Diamonds date FC Platinum

MANICA Diamonds will be seeking their first ever win against former Castle Lager Premiership champions, Platinum when the two teams clash in a potentially explosive league match at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.

The match starts at 3pm. Manica Diamonds have made a huge impression in the domestic Premiership since they joined the local big boys league, but somehow they have not managed to beat the two league platinum miners – Platinum and Ngezi Platinum.

The best that Manica Diamonds could do was to hold the Zvishavane-based outfit twice, with the rest of their duels ending up in agony for the Mutare-based team.

The Norman Mapeza-coached former Castle Lager Premiership champions will also be in for a real test of character when they entertain an in-form Manica Diamonds

which of late has produced three consecutive victories at home and away.

Ideally, these factors place into context the likely gruelling duel on the field of play, come Sunday.

It is a must watch encounter for all soccer enthusiasts in the eastern border city.

It will be interesting to see who will pocket the three points on stake on Sunday.

Manica Diamonds head coach, Jairos Tapera said they are well conversant with the danger posed by their opponents and his charges will be equal to the task.

He said his troops are fit and ready to pounce on their opponents.

“We are fully aware of the challenge posed by Platinum. They are a good side with a very good and respected coach. They are capable of producing positive results, both at home and away. Therefore, we will definitely have to be at our all-time best.

“We will be facing Platinum with nothing, but the three points that will be on stake in our minds, and hope we will have the pedigree to deliver. We will give our best shot,” he said.

Tapera urged fans to attend the encounter in their numbers and cheer up the boys even when chips are down.

“We are passionately urging fans to come in their numbers at Sakubva Stadium. We rely on them being the 12th man. We need their support and their unwavering allegiance benefits the team even when we are down,” he said.

Elsewhere in the fellow Manicaland-based outfit, GreenFuel will host Arenel Movers at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje on Sunday.