How Mine aim even higher

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
HOW Mine coach Philani Ncube says they want to continue dancing to the music in the Caf Confederation Cup and they don’t want the dance to last any time soon.
On Saturday, How Mine reached the first round of the competition after beating Chouni of Zanzibar 2-1 at the Amman Stadium in the preliminary round.

The Bulawayo side will now meet St Michel of Seychelles who edged fellow islanders ASSM Elgeco Plus of Madagascar in the other preliminary round match.

St Michel won 7-6 on penalties after the two legs had finished 2-1 with the hosts winning.

How Mine are making a maiden appearance in the Confederation Cup and Ncube said their target is to try and even reach the mini-league stage.

Chikurupati won 4-0 at Barbourfields and were not under any pressure when they went to defend their advantage in Zanzibar.

“We struggled in the first 10 minutes because of the weather. They scored a goal while we were still trying to adjust but once we settled, down we managed to score.

“In the second half, we were all over them and we had one of our goals disallowed but that’s the nature of football.

“I am glad that we got a result under the circumstances and our target now is to pull through to the next round,” said Ncube.

Ncube said a pocket of Zimbabweans based in Zanzibar rallied behind their team.

“A number of Zimbabwean came and did the ‘Zora Butter’ dance,” said Ncube.

Ncube said he will be doing his research on St Michel whom they are playing at Barbourfields on February 28.

“We are at home again for the first leg and it will be an advantage for us if we get a positive result, just like in the earlier round.

“However, it will put pressure on us if we fail to get a good result,” said Ncube.

The former Chicken Inn coach Ncube said he will also use the adventure in Africa to prepare his side for the Castle Lager Premiership challenge.

“We are also using these matches to prepare a squad for the domestic league,” he said.

Gilbert Banda and Brighton Dube, who missed the tie in Zanzibar, could be available after securing new passports.