FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza says he left out their two foreign players for their weekend’s preliminary round first leg tie against Desportivo Primeiro Agosto because of lack of match fitness.

Speaking before the team’s departure for Angola on Thursday, Mapeza rubbished claims that he dropped Zambian Shadreck Mayembe and Albert Eonde of Cameroon because they were not good enough.

“It’s not that we left them because they failed to make a cut, no. It’s because that these guys have not been in action for some time. They are still to reach the fitness levels I want them to be. Make no mistake, they are quality players, but we want them to gain match fitness first,” said Mapeza.

The FC Platinum coach said he was aware of what to expect in Luanda.

“I have been in this industry for a long time, and I know what we are going to face. This team has been participating in Africa for some time, and I am sure it’s for the eighth time while are in for the second time. We are not going to open up, and we will not play to entertain them. We are fully prepared for this match,” added Mapeza.