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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
GOLDMINERS How Mine FC are confident of continuing their Premiership dominance over Bulawayo giants Highlanders when they face off at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
The miners, sixth on the table and trailing Bosso who have amassed 24 points by two, will be without head coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube who is attending a high level Caf A licence coaching course in Harare.
In a telephone interview yesterday, How Mine’s FC chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo said ex-Highlanders striker Simba Rusike and Sheunesu Chaka would be in charge of the city derby tomorrow.
“So far so good, the guys are geared up and I would like to believe that they will put up a good fight against Bosso on Sunday. The head coach (Ncube) has been advancing his knowledge in the game in Harare with other top coaches and the assistant coaches will be in charge of the game.
“Actually they have been working with the team since Monday and obviously as a team we want to recover from last week’s loss and get a positive result on Sunday. It is possible to get a good result because we have a competitive squad that has proved that it can compete against the best,” said Nkomo.
Since coming into the topflight last season, How Mine will tomorrow be meeting Highlanders for the fourth time. Chikurupati, as they are affectionately known by their legion of supporters, beat Bosso twice in league matches before the Bulawayo giants hit them with a sucker punch 3-0 in the Mbada Diamond Cup final at the end of the 2013 season.
Under Beefy, How Mine have proved to be a hard nut to crack with their veteran players putting their Premiership experience to use.
Starting from the back, Chikurupati have assembled a formidable squad with goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura who went with the national team for the Afcon finals in 2004 and 2006, Gilbert Banda, Nyasha Mukumbi, George Magariro, Mernard Mupera and former Masvingo United and DeMbare’s Wonder Sithole carrying their hopes.
They also have the likes of Brighton Dube, league’s top marksman with eight goals Kuda Musharu, Edmore “Digo” Muzanenhamo who Highlanders turned away, Benjamin Marere who is on operation “revive career”, ex-Highlanders attacking midfielder Heritein Masuku, James Chitereki, Xolani “Scara’ Moyo and Thembani “Smaller” Moyo that Bosso should be wary of.
No doubt, the How Mine side, which some have termed “Old People’s Home”, will want to disappoint Highlanders and a thrilling encounter is on the cards.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu said, “if we take the same attitude that we displayed against Black Rhinos I think we are going to do well in the derby. Derbies are tricky but if we keep focused and fight throughout the game like we did we will get a good result,” said Kaindu.
Mthulisi Maphosa, who has recovered from a long lay off, might be thrown into the fray tomorrow to steer the ship in midfield in the absence of suspended Erick Mudzingwa who has accumulated three yellow cards. Welcome “Waruwa” Ndiweni and Hillary Madzivanyika are some of the players that might be used in the absence of Mudzingwa.
Highlanders also have “man of the moment” Charles Sibanda to lead their attacking options ably assisted by the talented and exciting Joel Ngodzo, Ozias Zibande and Valentine Ndaba.
Meanwhile, at Luveve Stadium this afternoon, Chicken Inn play host to Caps United with the Gamecocks welcoming back Danny “Deco” Phiri.
“My main worry is that of Brian Juru who is on suspension and has been good for us in the absence of Deco. Otherwise we are ready for the game and the guys are raring to go,” said Joey Antipas, Chicken Inn’s coach.
Phiri has been club hunting in South Africa but his absence was hardly felt at Chicken Inn as Juru played a blinder against Dynamos last Saturday.
Caps United are third on the table on 23 points with Dynamos and Antipas says they are going to attack.
“We are not a defence minded team and we will go there to play our usual game which is attack from the first whistle. I think it will be an open game as Caps United are also a side that enjoys knocking the ball around,” said Antipas.
“The last weekend victory was what we needed in as far as gaining a bit of momentum. Obviously after that win the guys’ confidence levels are up and now what we have to do is to do away with that mentality of being bad travellers. As we come to Bulawayo, we hope to keep the momentum and get a positive result,” said Luis Maio, Caps United’s manager.
Fixtures
Today: Chicken Inn v Caps United (Luveve, 3PM SuperSport), Chiredzi v Harare City (Chishamiso), Chapungu v FC Platinum (Ascot)
Tomorrow: How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields, 3PM SuperSport), Shabanie Mine v Buffaloes (Maglas), Dynamos v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium)
Monday: Bantu Rovers v Triangle United (Luveve)
derick.khumalo