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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine Football Club captain Gilbert Banda has called on his teammates to seize the opportunity in Nigeria when they take on Bayelsa United in the second leg of the Orange Caf Confederation Cup second round on Saturday. The goldminers are in their maiden continental club competition and Banda believes they must make use of their good run in the tournament and bury their opponents.
How Mine travel to Nigeria carrying a 2-1 lead but Banda brushed aside the advantage saying they have to remain focused.
“This is the time to prove that we are at this stage not by luck but by sheer hard work. We go to Nigeria for a whole new ball game and the result that we got at Barbourfields is now water under the bridge. We mustn’t waste time thinking about the past result but we have to go there knowing that it’s 0-0 and treat the game as if it’s a final.
“It’s going to be difficult because they will be playing at home but these days there is little difference playing at home or away. It’s all about having a proper game plan and sticking to it.The good thing is that the whole team is itching to get to the next stage of the competition and we will not let anything stand in our way. We are on top in terms of form and we must seize this moment and fly the Zimbabwe flag high,” Banda said.
The goldminers carry a slender 2-1 lead courtesy of goals from Morris Kadzola and Menard Mupera.
The away goal that the Nigerians got will put How Mine’s resilience to the test as they continue their fight to get to the next stage.
How Mine need an outright win or any draw to qualify for the next round and Banda is aware of the importance of getting an early goal to unsettle their opponents.
“I think they will open up their play instead of the defensive display that they did when they came to Bulawayo. We have to be cautious and make sure that we are psychologically fit and match them man for man. Getting an early goal will be a bonus for us but we must guard against being caught unawares. The coach has been emphasising the importance of every chance that we create,” Banda said.
How Mine should be wary of the Nigerians who showed some flashes of brilliance at Barbourfields Stadium, in some instances before reverting to defending their territory.
Bayelsa United, who won 2-0 in their last Orange Caf Confederation Cup match against AS Kondzo of Congo, pin their hopes on Peter Ebimobowei who scored one of the goals against AS Kondzo, Beninese international and club captain Salomon Junior who was in Benin’s Afcon squad in 2010 and played in Champions League with Benin side, ASPAC, former Nigerian international Mutiu Adegoke, former junior international Samuel Tswanya, who can play at right back and left back as well as Eric Frimpong.
Uche Ihuarulam and attacking midfielder Bernard Okorowanta who got the consolation goal in Bulawayo are some of the players to watch out for.
How Mine have maintained their winning squad with veteran goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura set to start ahead of Nonjabulo Dube.
Banda will partner either George Magariro or Nyasha Mukumbi in central defence while Kadzola, who has proved to be effective every time he ventures upfront, will start on the right side of defence with Brighton Dube starting ahead of Terrence Majo as the leftback.
How Mine are likely to congest their midfield like they did in the first leg with Ncube expected to deploy five midfielders Mupera, Xolisani Moyo, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Thembani Masuku and Wonder Sithole who might play behind lone striker Kuda Musharu.
The goldminers’ midfielders have a knack of scoring important goals and it is against such a background that Ncube might encourage his quintet to take a go at their opponents.
How Mine leave the country for Johannesburg today where they will spend a night before connecting to Lagos, Nigeria tomorrow morning.
Their match is set for Delta State’s Sapele which is 386km from Lagos.
Online Reporter