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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City will lift their preparations for the CAF Confederation Cup a gear up after they roped in Chapungu for a friendly match which they need to look at their combinations this weekend.

The Sunshine Boys, who host AS Adema of Madagascar on February 13 in the first leg of the preliminary round, have confirmed at least two preparatory matches before they embark on their maiden CAF competition.

Last week they gave the national team their only friendly match ahead of the Africa Nations Championships underway in Rwanda when they played the Warriors at the National Sports Stadium.

Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro yesterday said they wanted to use the match against Chapungu to get a preliminary assessment of their squad. The Sunshine Boys have lined up another date with league champions Chicken Inn early next month.

“We will play Chapungu this Saturday in a friendly match. We also had intended to play Chicken Inn next week but I’m told they will be going to play in a tournament in Zambia. So we might have to play them when they return, probably the final week before we play our first game,” said Mangwiro.

Harare City have been working more on physical fitness and Mangwiro is happy with how his boys have been responding to the training regime.

They are now embarking more in ball work and tactics.

“Things are beginning to take shape now and I should say we have noticed some marked improvements in the players’ levels of fitness compared to what it was like last year when we started our pre-season.

“The only unfortunate part is that we don’t have the entire squad at our disposal. We have six players who are away at the CHAN tournament and they will only be able to join us later.

Harare City have signed five new players who include Raphael Manuvire, Ronald Chitiyo, Blessing Moyo, Jimmy Tigere and Edwin Madhananga.

Mangwiro had wanted another striker to complement his forward line but he has since dropped the idea and will have to do with his trusted charges William Manondo, Martin Vengesai, Honey Chimutimunzeve, Francisco Zekumbawira, Agrippa Murimba and Kudakwashe Kumwala.