The ManicaPost
MUTARE-born Ngezi Platinum’s Liberty Chakoroma believes his team has what it takes to secure a group stage slot in the Total 2017 Caf Con federations Cup by dismissing Clube Recreativo Desportivo do Lobilo in the second leg to be played at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday (tomorrow).
Madamburo, as Ngezi Platinum are fondly referred to by their fans, fell 2-1 away at the Estadio Do Calulo in Angola, and they now await the return leg.
Thus captain Chakoroma – a former Buffaloes and La Sakubva player – thinks they can stand the heat to bundle the Angolan side out of the continental cup winners’ competition.
“I think we have the quality and depth in our team to outplay the Angolan team. When we played them in their own backyard they won but we managed to pick a number of lessons that we hope we will use in the return leg.
“We are not underestimating them at all. We know they are a good side and that explains why they won the reverse fixture. However, we believe we can also make use of home advantage to win the return match. All we pray for is that we get all the support that we need from the terraces,” said Chakoroma.
Chakoroma’s away goal on Saturday in Angola – fired home after he was fed by Qadr Amini – could prove decisive in the second leg of this Total 2017 Caf Con federations Cup tie.
It is Chakoroma’s 19th minute away goal that temporarily restored parity before the hosts eventually scored the winning goal, which might give Ngezi Platinum advantage in the final aggregate.
Interestingly, this was the former La Sakubva and Buffaloes player’s second away goal in the Caf Confederations Cup after he was on target when Ngezi Platinum drew one-all away to Pamplemousse of Mauritius in the previous round.
Chakoroma’s knack for scoring vital goals can also be traced back to the Chibuku Super Cup where he scored two important goals in the final match against FC Platinum that eventually handed Madamburo the right to represent the country in the Total 2017 Caf Confederations Cup.
“I am happy to have played my part in helping my team secure that away goal. Even though I am the one who scored, it came as a result of teamwork.
“Yes, I have scored a number of important goals for the teams that I have played for. Like I said, it has always been a result of teamwork. I hope the spirit will continue,” said Chakoroma.
