adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HOW Mine will have to do without key players Timothy January and Warren Dube when they battle against Nigerian side Bayelsa United in the first leg of the Confederation Cup second round tie at Barbourfields on Saturday. The Bulawayo gold miners are looking to go the distance in the competition following a good start and coach Philani Ncube yesterday said preparations are on course despite the injury setbacks.
Ncube indicated that Dube, who missed the last trip to Seychelles with a knee injury, is still down and has been joined on the sidelines by the skilful January.
“I think we are getting there in terms of fitness but we have real worries over Timothy January and Warren Dube. They have knocks and I don’t think they will make it for the weekend match,” said Ncube.
“The spirit in the camp is encouraging. We are still in the process of putting our finishing touches to the preparations and we hope to use the remaining days, up to Friday, to get all things straight.
“We are starting at home again and we now know that you have to do well when you play as the home side. We have to take the chances and bury them.
“If you struggle at home then it means more pressure in the return leg. So we are appealing to the fans to rally behind the team.”
How Mine are now Zimbabwe’s only representative in the continental interclub competitions following Dynamos’ exit from Champions League in the first round.
The gold miners qualified to the second round courtesy of a 6-4 aggregate win over St. Michel, despite losing 3-1 in the reverse leg played in the Indian Ocean island nation.
How Mine survived the scare as they had done enough at home to book themselves a place in the next round when they thrashed St. Michel 5-1 at Barbourfields.
January played a cameo role in Seychelles as he was introduced in the 24th minute for Blessing Sande but he later made way for defender James Chitereki in the 79th minute in a tactical move to save the match after the coach found themselves trailing.
How Mine face a sterner test of character this week.
Their opponents, Bayelsa United, needed home advantage to beat AS Kondzo of Congo 2-0 aggregate in the first round.
The first leg in Congo had ended goalless but goals from Peter Ebimobowei and Jafar Buhari were all the Nigerians needed to ensure qualification in the return leg.
The side finished third last season in the Nigerian league and they made three signings ahead of the Confederation Cup by bringing Tswanya Samuel from Kano Pillars and the duo of Mutiu Adegoke and Olufemi Oladapo who were signed from 3SC of Ibadan.
Bayelsa are expected to arrive tomorrow in Harare and then connect to Bulawayo.
zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said arrangements were being made to fly the visitors to Bulawayo.
The Nigerians’ preparations, however, suffered a setback during a league match against Gombe United on Sunday after their two goalkeepers suffered injuries.
The game which ended goalless saw Bayelsa’s first-choice goalkeeper, Gideon Gambo, stretchered off the pitch.
He was replaced by Kazeem Yekeen, who after a few minutes also suffered a hamstring injury.
However, the club’s spokesperson George Emeli told the Nigerian media that the pair was recovering well.
“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 in 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 they should be okay,” said Emeli.
Eritrean match officials Mensur Kherseed, Angeson Ogbamariam, Berhe O’Michael and Luelseghed Gherbremichael will handle the match.
Online Reporter