Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu believes that Zimbabwe has better players than South Africa as FC Platinum prepares to play Orlando Pirates in the Caf Champions League.

The Zimbabwe champions host Pirates in their opening Group B encounter at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday.

In an interview with NewsDay, Ndlovu concluded that while South African football is better organised, Zimbabwe possesses skilled players and thinks the Norman Mapeza-coached side is well equipped to cause an upset.

“We are two nations that play different types of football. If you look at the professionalism part of it, South Africa is far ahead of us, but when you talk of individual skills and players, we are far ahead of them,” said Ndlovu.

“They play a more organised football and they have got the resources, but Norman (Mapeza) has worked so hard to put his team to where it is right now. He has to work on character on the day. If FC Platinum have a strong character, they can upset Orlando Pirates. They can beat them.”

Pirates, however, have a number of foreigners in their squad including Zimbabwean duo of Kuda Mahachi and Marshall Munetsi.