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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

ANGOLAN outfit GD Sagrada Esepranca have promised to take the game to FC Platinum when the two teams meet in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.

The Girabola champions were left on the backfoot after the Zvishavane miners restricted them to a goalless draw in the opening encounter in Luanda last week.

However, a goalless first leg result is a dangerous one for the visitors.

The Angolans now come into this encounter knowing that every goal they can score is worth its weight in gold given it could count double in the event of a draw.

Sagrada head coach, Roque Sapiri, has sent a clear message the battle is still far from over despite their failure to win at home. 

“We are not in the best position going into the second leg, but it is not too bad either. I am happy that we kept a clean sheet even though scoring a goal would have been ideal,’’ he said. 

“We have no choice but to go out and look for a goal or two in Zimbabwe for us to proceed further in the competition, but so do they. 

“This will work well for both teams as we will go at each other and play openly.” 

Sagrada are expected in Harare tomorrow aboard a chartered flight. 

Sapiri said he gained a better understanding of the Zimbabwean opponents after the clash in the first leg.

“They are a quality side with a very good coach. They are well organised and not easily breakable,’’ he said. 

“They can hurt you on the counter and now that we going to their home ground, they will be more open to attacking us.’’

FC Platinum are expected to go into the match motivated by playing in familiar surroundings as they look to go past the preliminary stages.

The Zimbabwe champions are likely to welcome back Donald Teguru and Kelvin Madzongwe who missed the first leg.

FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza, was impressed by the team’s performance last Saturday, which was their first game,after almost three months away from competitive football. 

The platinum miners held their fort despite finishing the game with 10 men, following the expulsion of left back, Kelvin Mangiza for two bookable offences. 

“I am proud of how my guys played, it was not an easy game considering the fact that we were playing a team which has been very competitive,’’ said Mapeza.

“They have been playing football regularly for the past year.

“The boys played really well, despite us only training for three weeks. It was a massive performance from the boys. It was a good game of football.” 

However, Mapeza needs more creativity in the return leg, to get the goals they need at home for the victory which would power them to the next round.

“I think my biggest worry was upfront. I think there wasn’t much creativity, in terms of chances created. 

“That’s an area that we are going to address as we prepare for the return leg. 

“But, we had a good result away from home although I had wanted a scoring draw,” said Mapeza.