FC PLATINUM will bring Champions League football to the doorsteps of their fans today in an historic match at Mandava where, for the first time in this country’s history, a game of this nature will be played outside Harare and Bulawayo.

The country’s richest football club, with a growing army of fans and admirers lured by the professional way they have been handling their project, will host Swazi side Green Mamba at the refurbished Mandava Stadium this afternoon.

It’s an historic occasion and it will be witnessed by the country’s football leadership, including Premier Soccer League chairman Twine Phiri, and a full-house is expected at Mandava today.

FC Platinum hold a 4-2 lead over their Swazi rivals going into the second leg of this preliminary round of the Champions League battle after winning the first battle in Swaziland two weeks ago.

To the majority of their fans, including an army that is expected to come from Harare and Bulawayo, today’s occasion is meant to celebrate FC Platinum’s ticket into the first round.

But team captain, Zephaniah Ngodzo, issued a warning yesterday that there was still a big battle to be fought.

“The game tomorrow (today) is a new one and we are tied nil-all (0-0) as we are not looking at the result we achieved a fortnight ago,” said Ngodzo, who had a good game in Swaziland.

“We are playing at home and we are going to attack from the first whistle. I am urging our fans to keep supporting us, even when the chips are down. The fans are very important to us as they are the 12th man and they have a special role to play in the terraces.

“We have read what Green Mamba have been saying in the papers and we are not worried. I think it could be mind games but all I can tell Mamba is that we do not play our football in the papers but on the pitch. They will see what we are made of this afternoon as we are looking at nothing short of victory.”

FC Platinum have spent the week under the guidance of assistant coach Tendai Chikuni because head coach Rahman Gumbo has been away on national duty and only returned to Zvishavane yesterday.

Chikuni guided FC Platinum to an impressive 2-0 victory over Hwange in a Bob ’88 Super Cup final at Rufaro on Sunday.

Yesterday Chikuni said his boys were ready for the battle.

“I know they are going to fight very hard in the first 20 minutes and we are prepared to repel their attack,” said Chikuni. “We are not going to surrender the healthy lead, we are ready and well motivated. We are playing at home and there is nothing to defend but we are going all out on attack. In short we will be playing our normal game.

“We respect them, they are a good side but after 90 minutes everyone will be smiling. The game might not be easy but we are going to the second round as I feel Green Mamba will be history when the referee ends the match.”

Midfield star, Allan Gahadzikwa, who was injured in the Bob ’88 Super Cup final, has recovered and will take his place in the team.

The former Motor Action star scored in Swaziland.

Hardlife Mavundi, who had pulled a muscle, is also fit but bustling striker, Donald “Dombo” Ngoma, will be the notable absentee after a bad injury last Sunday.

He is walking with the aid of crutches.

Ngoma was the star of the show in Swaziland with an inspired performance and his absence will be welcomed in the Green Mamba camp.

Two luxury coaches, carrying scores of Green Mamba fans, arrived in Zvishavane yesterday as the Swazis took over the show here.

Thokozile Nxumalo, the chairperson of the Swazi team, was busy running around with the help of the FC Platinum officials, to get accommodation for the fans who painted Zvishavane into a sea of green and white colours.

Ironically, those are also the colours of FC Platinum

The match will be handled by officials from Angola.

Baltazar Romualdo will be at the centre, assisted by Dos Santos Jerson and Wilson Ntyamba.

The match commissioner, Kayijuka Gaspard, is from Rwanda and Ruzive Ruzive, now widely considered the best referee in the country, will be the fourth official.

Zifa Councillor, Brian Austin Chishanga, who was the head of the FC Platinum delegation in Swaziland, has hailed the Midlands club.

“I am happy with the work that has been done at the stadium and all the development that has taken place,” said Chishanga. “FC Platinum have shown that they have the capacity to host a Champions League match.

“I came here to polish up the rehearsals of the kids who will be the flag bearers. I brought with me the Fifa, Caf, Zimbabwe and Swaziland flags. I am appealing to Zimbabweans to converge at Mandava Stadium and give the platinum miners all the support.”

There was drama here yesterday as some members of Green Mamba tried to force their way into Mandava to spray some magical liquid on the playing surface.

Swazi clubs have strong beliefs in superstition.

FC Platinum security men, who were on guard, foiled the bid by the magicians to try and enter the stadium.

“There was a man whom I can only identify as Madzibaba as his head was clean shaven,” said one of the security men. “He had a bottle with some water and they wanted to make their way to the dressing rooms and the playing field. I alerted the bouncers and the men quickly went back to the car and drove off but I know that one of them once worked with (Lloyd) Mutasa at Dynamos.”

Green Mamba refused to have a feel of the match venue yesterday, choosing to stay holed up in Masvingo.

“I will not travel to Zvishavane. I need my players to rest and we can’t travel 97km to the town and another 97km back,” said Mutasa. “There is nothing special about Mandava Stadium. There is grass at Mucheke and grass at Mandava. I am not worried about my players having a feel of the stadium as they can easily do that when they go for warm-up.”

Mutasa said his players were now praying before and after every training session.

“We pray before and after training and the Lord always assists us,” said Mutasa. “I am still talking to the team to have my backroom staff of Charles (Chiluma) who many at Dynamos thought was Madzibaba Danieri and Emmanuel (Chapeza) to be engaged. Charles takes notes for me and Emmanuel is my kit manager since my days at Dynamos.”