FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza is hoping for a strong finish in their last CAF Champions League Group B encounter against Esperance of Tunisia this afternoon.

The encounter will be a dead rubber as Pure Platinum Play are already out of the tournament while the North Africans sealed their qualification to the knockout stage in the previous round.

Mapeza told reporters at a press conference on Friday that he has seen some improvements in his team following a 2-2 draw against Orlando Pirates last week.

“We have been working hard for our game tomorrow (today), as I said, we have been improving in each and every game,” he said. “If you look at our performance against Orlando Pirates, you can tell that we are improving.”

Mapeza, however, will be without three key players – Kevin Moyo, Gift Bello and Kelvin Madzongwe – due to suspension.

The match will be played at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo and kick-off is at 3 pm.