DESPITE being held to a 2-2 draw at home by El-Merreikh in a Caf Champions League first round, first leg soccer tie at Rufaro on Saturday, FC Platinum insist that they are still in the game and could turn the tables against their Sudanese opponents in the reverse fixture in Khartoum.

The Castle Lager Premiership runners-up twice came from behind to salvage a draw in a match they finished with 10 men after steely defender Norman Togara was red-carded in the 87th minute.

Togara had earlier on earned himself a yellow card from Mauritian referee Seechurn Rajindraparsad for clipping Omar Musab before he was expelled from the game following an aerial tussle with the same player.

El-Merreikh went ahead in the 17th minute when Mike Matyoba struck a gem of goal that eluded FC Platinum goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube as the ball nestled into the far top corner of the net.

FC Platinum levelled in the 33rd minute when Mitchell Katsvairo connected in a cross by Charles Sibanda from the left to beat El Merriekh goalkeeper Akram Elhadi.

El Merreikh reclaimed the lead in the second half when Zaid Mustapha headed in a corner flighthed from the left.

Joel Ngodzo, who was the host side’s most exciting player on view, hit a low shot from the edge of the box to even the scores again.

In the match, FC Platinum were greatly exposed on the right flank where skipper Zephaniah Ngodzo appeared to give the visitors too much respect, allowing them to find space near the box.

The introduction of Togara for Zephaniah Ngodzo towards the end of the first half appeared to stabilise the defence as the former was first to the ball and even made forays forward, much to the delight of the local fans on the Vietnam stand.

The hosts had Allan Gahadzika, Charles Sibanda, Ali Sadiki and Joel Ngodzo failing to bury numerous chances that came their way in the first half.

FC Platinum assistant coach Tendai Chikuni acknowledged that they now have a mountain to climb in the return match in Khartoum in a fortnight but insists that they were still with a chance of progressing to the next round.

“It’s now going to be very difficult in Sudan.

“Norman Togara is now out of the game but still the job has to be done.

“It’s a setback and we cannot blame Togara (for his expulsion) because he was really fighting for the ball and brought some aggression to the game.

“Zeph Ngodzo was not playing well on the flank and that’s why we had to pull him out.

“Now we are also going to work on the defence because now we know how they (El-Merreikh) play,” Chikuni said.

FC Platinum, who had wanted the game played at Mandava in Zvishavane before Caf ordered the match to be staged in Harare, played well in the second half and with more precision in front of goal, Kumbulani Banda, Sibanda, Joel Ngodzo and Gahadzikwa could have scored at least a goal between them.

Banda, who was introduced into the game in the 46th minute for Katsvairo to congest the midfield, ended up playing as a striker and could have scored at least a goal.

The absence of natural forward Donald Ngoma, who is still nursing an injury, was really felt.

“Ngoma is out but the job had to be done.

“We had more than 25 players to choose from and he could have made a difference but one man is not the team.

“People know Kumbulani Banda playing as a defender or midfielder but we brought him in as the target man in the second half.

“Banda is a utility player and can play in any position,” said Chikuni.

El Merreikh team manager Sidiq Ali said while they are now at an advantage, FC Platinum could surprise them at home.

“This is football and we have to be prepared for anything.

“So far we have played the first half and we will play the second half in Khartoum.

“FC Platinum can still come and get two goals there,” said Ali.

Ali also said his players were not as fluent in their passes because they are not used to playing on artificial turf.

“We are not used to playing on artificial turf but as a big team we had to adjust,” he said.

The winner of this round between FC Platinum and El Merriekh will face either former African champions TP Mazembe or Power Dynamos in the next round.

TP Mazembe held the Fordson Kabole-coached side to a 1-1 draw in Zambia on Saturday.