Platinum eye Pirates scalp in Bulawayo

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jan 11, 2019. 13:01

FC Platinum will be aiming to cause an upset when they welcome Orlando Pirates to the Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday afternoon in a Caf Champions League clash.

Kick-off is at 15h00 CAT.

The back-to-back reigning Zimbabwean Premier League champions and current ZPSL Castle Challenge Cup holders will make their bow in Africa's premier club competition this weekend - against the 1995 champions nonetheless.

Pirates, who are in search of their second star, complete a competitive Group B that also includes Horoya FC and defending CafCL champions Esperance de Tunis.

Orlando Pirates winger and Zimbabwe international, Kudakwashe Mahachi, is wary of the threat posed by their opponents, stating that the Sea Robbers will not underestimate their counterparts.

“We can’t underestimate FC Platinum, they are a quality side with a pedigree having won the league in Zimbabwe," Mahachi told his club's official website.

"We can expect them to come hard at us. Their game is almost similar to ours because they also enjoy playing with the ball on the ground and keeping possession. It should be an interesting game on the weekend.”

He continued: "Should I be considered to travel with the team to Zimbabwe, I will certainly be emotional because I’ll be going back home to a place where I grew up. Everybody in Bulawayo supports Orlando Pirates."

The Buccaneers head into the match on the back of a 4-2 Absa Premiership win over Chippa United on Tuesday evening.