Zimpapers Logo

Grace Chingoma

Senior Sports Reporter

FC PLATINUM will get their latest campaign in the CAF Champions League underway in September.

This was announced by the continent’s football controlling body yesterday as they unveiled dates for their two inter-club tournaments.

CAF run the Champions League and Confederation Cup.

The Zvishavane miners are appearing in the Champions League for the  sixth time.

They were given the nod by ZIFA, to once again represent the country basing on their status, as the last club to win the league championship in 2019.

The domestic top-flight league championship hasn’t taken off, since FC Platinum beat CAPS United, on the final day of the season, two years ago.

Zimbabwe, however, will not be represented in the Confederation Cup, for the second year running.

According to the CAF statement, the starting date of the new season of inter-club competitions, will be September 10.

The preliminary rounds of the Champions League, and Confederation Cup, will get business underway.

“The group stage will start in February 2022,” read the statement.

With clubs expected to beef up their squads, to accommodate the rule of five substitutes, which has been extended to the coming season, CAF also extended the CAF Central Matching System registration base, to August 15.

“The rule of five substitutions has been extended for the 2021/2022 season, and each club will be allowed to register 40 players, instead of 30 as usual, and nine players will be on the bench, instead of seven, which is the usual number.

“Player registration in the CAF CMS Registration Base has also been extended to August 15, 2021.’’

FC Platinum are inactive, following the suspension of all domestic sporting activities, in the country. 

Only international competitions are getting exemptions after satisfying certain requirements.

However, with the Chibuku Super Cup now set to be completed, the Zvishavane miners are set to get more game time, as part of their preparations, for a return to the big league.

ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, said they will request the Government to give FC Platinum the green light to prepare thoroughly for their return to the Champions League.

FC Platinum spokesperson, Chido Chizondo, said they will be guided by their principals.

“Last year, we were in lockdown again, but we went on to participate,’’ she said.

“We work under guidance from ZIFA, so they will advise us on the next step.” 

FC Platinum, who made their debut in the Champions League in 2012, have also represented Zimbabwe, in the last four successive campaigns. 

After their maiden bow in 2021, they went on to play in the 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the 2020-2021 editions. 

Due to the changes, in the CAF calendar, they have had to play four continental football campaigns, inside three years.

The schedule for the next season is as follows:

First Preliminary Round (Home/Away) September 10-12 / September 17-19, 2021

Second Preliminary Round (H) 15-17 October / 22-24 October 2021

Confederation Cup, Second Extra Preliminary Round (H/H) November 26-28, December 3-5 2021

Group Stage First Round: 11-13 February 2022

Group Stage, Round Two: February 18-20, 2022

Group Stage Round Three: 25-27 February 2022

Group Stage Fourth Round: 11-13 March 2022

Group Stage Fifth Round: 18-20 March 2022

Group Stage Sixth Round: 1-3 April 2022

Quarter-finals (H/A) 15-17 April 2022 / 22-24 April 2022

Semi-finals (H/A) May 6-8 2022 / May 13-15 2022

Final: To be decided from May 22-29, 2022