BOTSWANA Meat Commission, who arrived in Zvishavane on Thursday evening, say they are going to give FC Platinum a good run in a friendly at Mandava this afternoon. The team has three Zimbabweans - Mandlenkosi Sibanda, a former Sporting Lions player, who was once coached by Rahman Gumbo, Takudzwa Ndoro and Hillary Madzivanyika.

Hillary is the younger brother of former Black Aces midfielder Mike.

"We are here on a training expedition and preparing for the league," said Daniel Nare, the BMC coach.

"We have been off for two months so we want to exploit what is here, get beaten, go home and reflect on the loss.

"We chose FC Platinum because they have the cream of the crop in Zimbabwe and losing to them will not be a disgrace.

"They have a good coach who has achieved a lot, a management which wants to take the club to greater heights and here we have a trip with so many missions."

Nare is also the coach of the Botswana Under-23 team.

He said he wanted to expose his players to a different challenge.

"We have a professional set up here and we are preparing for our game against Mochudu Center Chiefs," said Nare.

"I want to expose my players to international club football for them to gain experience so that they can use it to compete for the league as most of the players have no chance to play for the national team.

"The club have been relegation candidates and our mission is to finish in the top four.

"In June we must finish in the top four and we will play Highlanders and this will help us prepare. I know Marere (Benjamin), Amin (Qadir) Ngodzo (Joel) and Ngoma (Donald).

"They hammered me when I was with the Botswana U23."

Ezi-Nkomo are in second position on the Be-Mobile league with 33 points from 16 games. They trail Mochudi Centre Chiefs, who are under the guidance of Zimbabwean coach Madinda Ndlovu, who lead the race with 41 points.

Botswana Under-23 players, Keugile Kobe, and Motsholetsi Sikele are expected to feature prominently for the visitors.

Captain Floh Ketholetsile could test the Platinum defence to the limit.

"We are taking the match very seriously. We did not come here for a honeymoon and we are using the match to prepare for the second round which starts on the 17th of February," said Ketholetsile.

" We are not afraid of them and we are prepared to play any team here.

"We will be gunning for a win and we want to give them a good run for their money.

"We are friends outside the stadium but when we are on the pitch, it will be something different and that is what we call football."

FC Platinum, who qualified to their first cup final when they beat Motor Action in the Bob 88 Super Cup semi-final last weekend, are ready for the tie.

"They (BMC) will give us the good opposition we need for the African safari and the coaches will use the match to try new combinations," said club secretary, Phil Muvengwa.

"We will also be able to know our fitness level when we take on the Batswana team."