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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Confederation of African Football (Caf) clubs competitions representatives Dynamos and How Mine are likely to clash in a high-profile friendly match set for Harare at the weekend.Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Dynamos have what looks like an easy assignment when they play host to Botswana champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the preliminary round first leg of the Orange Caf Champions League with How Mine entertaining Chuoni FC of Zanzibar in Bulawayo.
Both teams play their preliminary round matches on the weekend of February 7-9 before hitting the road two weeks later. Should DeMbare clear the preliminary round hurdle, then they must brace for tough opposition as they will face winners between Kano Pillars of Nigeria and DRC’s AS Vita in the first round a fortnight later.
If they knockout Chuoni FC, the gold miners, who won the ticket to represent the country as finalists in the Mbada Diamonds Cup, will face the winner between St Michel of Seychelles and ASSM Elgeco Plus of Madagascar in the next round.
Dynamos and How Mine were forced to start their preparations early because of continental commitments. Both clubs are eager to give their players match fitness by having training games as well as friendly matches.
How Mine’s chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo said they have engaged Dynamos and are waiting for a response from the champions.
“We are hoping to play Dynamos in Harare this coming weekend and we are waiting for them to confirm whether the game will be on Saturday or Sunday,” said Nkomo.
Kenny Mubaiwa, the Dynamos chairman said they are waiting for the technical team to confirm whether they have planned any matches before accepting How Mine’s proposal.
“Obviously we would want to play a team like How Mine for obvious reasons that they are competing in Africa and will give us a good run. At the moment we are considering the match but it all depends on what the technical team have organised. Once the technical team responds, then we are going to let How Mine know our position,” said Mubaiwa.
How Mine are hard-pressed for a friendly match after their weekend game against Tafic FC of Francistown, Botswana failed to materialise.
The miners’ coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube said despite the setback, he would use training matches to assess his players.
Ncube has asked his executive to organise more competitive friendly matches before they take on Chuoni FC.
“I need more matches so that I get my players in game mode. I had hoped to use the Tafic game to look at the players’ progress but the match was cancelled and starting from tomorrow (today), we will be having training matches against Division One Soccer League clubs. I have also asked for the executive to try and get us a friendly match with one Premiership team for the weekend,” said Ncube.
The ambitious gold miners beefed their squad for the continental competition signing former Dynamos defender George Magariro, striker Kudakwashe Musharu, Harare City’s Tendai Ngulube, young Aces Academy and national Under-20 goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, Caps United’s Marvel Samaneka, Gunners’ James Chitereki, and Edmore Muzanenhamo from Zifa Southern Region Division One side Ntabazinduna Prison.
The new signings will have to gel with retained players like goalkeepers Ephraim Mazarura and Nonjabulo Dube, right back Brighton Dube, Terrence Majo, Herbert Dick, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda, Nelson Tachi, veteran midfielder Menard Mupera, Xolisani Moyo, Warren Dube, Timothy January, Thembani “Smaller” Masuku, Donald Chiringa and Eddie Nkulungo.
The miners’ chief striker Simba Sithole who scored Zimbabwe’s opening goal against Mali in the quarter-finals of the Chan tournament in South Africa will be key in leading How Mine’s attack in the Caf Orange Confederation Cup campaign.
Ncube has been assessing former Dynamos winger Benjamin Marere, former Bosso players Heritein Masuku and Thabani Moyo.
Online Reporter