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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine FC Orange Caf Confederation Cup second round opponents Bayelsa United of Nigeria are primed for their trip to Zimbabwe with coach Richard Bubagha wary of his opponents.The Nigerians are the 2009 Orange Caf Confederation Cup losing semi-finalists and last participated in the continental clubs’ competition in 2010 in the Caf Champions League where they failed to go beyond the preliminary round.
The Yenagoa side finished last season third on the log and earned the ticket to play in the Caf Confederation Cup.
They come to Zimbabwe to face a How Mine side that has been merciless at home during their Orange Caf Confederation campaign as they mauled Chuoni FC of Zanzibar 4-0 in the first leg of the preliminary round and clobbered Seychelles’ St Michel 5-1 in the first leg of the first round.
Speaking to the Nigerian media, Bayelsa United coach Bubagha said his team was ready for How Mine. Bayelsa United defeated AS Kondzo of Congo 2-0 to set a date with the gold miners.
“The team is ready for the task ahead. We know that How Mine is a big club in Zimbabwe and can be dangerous, but every player in the team is focused and determined to do well in the first leg which comes up in Zimbabwe. I am happy with the way the boys approached the last game against Kondzo. They knew what they want and got the job done.
“Nobody gave us a chance against Kondzo when we travelled to Brazaville to get a goalless draw. But we are gradually getting into our rhythm and our supporters will smile at the end of the match,” Bubagha said.
The West Africans are likely to be coming down for a draw while How Mine will have to guard against conceding so that they are not under pressure in the return log.
Bayelsa United are keeping their fingers crossed for their two goalkeepers to recover in time for the match after picking up injuries during their goalless league draw against Gombe United last weekend.
Bayelsa United’s first choice goalkeeper Gideon Gambo is said to have been stretchered off the pitch with his replacement Kazeem Yekeen picking a hamstring injury.
“It was a minor injury, the team doctor said between now and Friday, they will be fine and will be able to play How Mine of Zimbabwe at the Confederation Cup.
“The team is ready and the injured goalkeepers will be ready as well. We cannot rule them out yet as the doctor said between now and then, they should be okay,” said George Emeli, the media officer of Bayelsa United.
Apart from Peter Ebimobowei who scored one of the goals against AS Kondzo, Bayelsa United have Beninese international and club captain Salomon Junior who was in Benin’s Afcon squad in 2010 and played in the Champions League with Benin side, ASPAC.
Others with continental experience include former Nigerian international Mutiu Adegoke, former junior international, Samuel Tswanya, who can play at right back and leftback as well as Eric Frimpong.
Uche Ihuarulam could partner Ebimobowei in attack.
Meanwhile, Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said they are yet to receive the itinerary for the Nigerian team but they are expecting them to arrive tomorrow.
“We don’t have any communication from their FA as yet but from the trend, visiting teams get here a day or two before the match day,” said Gwesela.
Eritrean referees Maeruf Kherseed (centre) and his assistants Angesom Ogbamariam, Berhe Tesfagiorghis O’Michael and Luelseghed Ghebremichael will handle the match.
Kherseed officiated in the Fifa World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Namibia at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek last year which ended in a 1-1 draw with O’Michael and Ghebremichael assisting him.
Leslie Liunda from Tanzania will be the match commissioner.
Online Reporter