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Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine FC coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube believes that real competition in the Orange Caf Confederation Cup begins on Saturday when his side faces Nigeria’s Bayelsa United in the second round of the tournament.The gold miners are the country’s remaining representatives in the Caf clubs competition after Dynamos were knocked out of the Champions League a fortnight ago.
How Mine have enjoyed a fairytale run in their maiden continental competition, convincingly winning at home against Zanzibar’s Chuoni who they beat 4-0 at Barbourfields Stadium in the first leg of the preliminary round and went on to win 2-1 away.
They took a comfortable 5-1 lead for their second leg of the first round against St Michel of Seychelles but survived a scare as the Indian Ocean Islanders beat them 3-1 in the return leg.
On Saturday How Mine played to a goalless draw against Zifa Northern Region Division One Soccer league side Mushowani Stars at Luveve Stadium with Ncube predicting a tough encounter against Bayelsa United.
“Now we are in the real competition and we have to be mentally prepared for the fight that the Nigerians will bring to us. We have to make sure that we put a solid display and make sure that we fully utilise home advantage and score lots of goals like we did in the last two matches.
“It will not be easy to break them but we have to stay composed. Remember Nigeria is ranked far higher than Zimbabwe and I am sure that they have a competitive league but we will hold our own.
“We have the guys that are capable of delivering and what we need to do is avoid conceding at home,” Ncube said.
Bayelsa United booked their place in the second round of the competition after beating AS Kondzo of Congo with an aggregate 2-0 scoreline. The Nigerians had held AS Kondzo to a goalless draw in Congo and scored through Peter Ebimowei and Jafa Buhari at home.
For goals, How Mine will bank on their key striker Kuda Musharu who has scored six goals in four matches in Africa.
They also have midfielders who are capable of scoring like Menard Mupera, Thembani Masuku, Warren Dube who has started training after missing the trip to Seychelles due to injury and Wonder Sithole.
How Mine boast of players with national team and Caf clubs’ competitions experience like goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura, Gilbert Banda, George Magariro, Hebert Dick, Mupera and their leading striker Musharu who they can bank on.
Some of the players that have been key in their campaign include Nyasha Mukumbi, Morris Kadzola, Brighton Dube, Xolisani “Scara” Moyo and Edmore “Digo” Muzanhenhamo.
Online Reporter