Platinum free to resume training

ZIMBABWE’S sole representatives in this season’s club continental competitions FC Platinum are set to resume preparations for the Caf Confederation Cup play-offs after the government gave them permission to partake in the competition.

The platinum miners, who were relegated to the second-tier competition after they were booted out of the Caf Champions League by Tanzania’s Simba SC, had been grounded since the country was put under lockdown following a surge in COVID-19 infections.

Sporting activities are banned and only a special reprieve from the Sport ministry allows training and matches.

Yesterday, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) wrote to Zifa informing them that FC Platinum were free to participate and resume training.

“The Sports and Recreation Commission hereby gives you notice, following your application, that: The Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation approved your application for FC Platinum to participate in the CAF Confederations Cup.

“The approval shall, in addition to the requirements specified in Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020 as amended, World Health Organisation guidelines, other legislation and policy directives as well as precautions submitted with your application relating to the prevention and containment of COVID-19, be subject to the following conditions,” the SRC letter read.

The conditions include mandatory testing of players and officials as well as a 10-day bubble.

After a poor showing in the Champions League, where they were clobbered 4-1 on aggregate by Simba in the final qualifier before the group stages, the miners have sought to improve arsenal and have been out on the player market.

They are believed to have since signed Donald Teguru, Rodwell Chinyengetere and Innocent Mucheneka, but have chose to keep their cards close to the chest.

So far, they have lost Perfect Chikwende to Simba SC. Chinyengetere has returned to the Zvishavane side following a failed stint at South African side Baroka FC.

The two-time Soccer Star of the Year was reduced to a bit-part player at Baroka and was loaned to FC Platinum during the 2019 season.

The platinum miners are set to play ASC Jaraaf of Senegal in the play-off on February 14 and 21, with FC Platinum playing at home in the first leg.