NGEZI Platinum will play the return leg of the CAF confederation match against Pamplemousses of Mauritius at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday in Harare.

The miners had been hoping to host Mauritian outfit Pamplemousse at Baobab Stadium in Ngezi in the Confederation Cup preliminary round, second leg tie but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that there would be logistical challenges in hosting the game there because there are no suitable hotels close to the match venue.

A CAF inspection team that was in the country a few weeks ago noted that there was no suitable accomodation around Mhondoro- Ngezi to host the visiting teams and match officials with the nearest hotels that meet CAF standards situated in Harare, which is 160km away from the match venue.

CAF rules states that if the distance between the capital city and the venue of the match is superior to 200km the host association shall provide the visitors with an airplane transport to the venue of the match and back.

Ngezi Chairman Jeremiah Gasiteni said they will have to settle at their adopted home in Harare. 

“We were ready for international football at Baobab but the decision is beyond our control. When we build the Stadium, it had facilities that suit international standards from the dressing rooms to the pitch. There are issues beyond our control,” he said.

With Rufaro Stadium undergoing renovations, Ngezi have the National Sports Stadium as their only option on Saturday and will also have to play at 1pm to allow CAPS united opponents, Lioli of Lesotho who are set to play in the Champions League the following day, a chance to train there and get a feel of the match venue as prescribed by CAF.

Ngezi carry an advantage having scored an away goal courtesy of a Liberty Chakoroma’s goal.           

If they manage to advance to the next stage, the Tonderai Ndiraya-coached side will play Recreativo do Libolo of Angola.

The 16 winners of the first round advance to the play-off round, where they are joined by the 16 losers of the Champions League first round were the winners of the play-off round will then advance to the group stage.