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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HOW Mine coach Philani Ncube says the Bulawayo side are aiming to make the best out of their home advantage with a big win against Nigerian opponents Bayelsa United when the teams clash in the first leg of the Confederations Cup second round match at Barbourfields this afternoon.
How Mine are looking to go beyond the knock-out stages in the competition following a promising start in their maiden appearance in Africa.
Their coach Ncube yesterday told The Saturday Herald that they would need to maintain their good form at home following big wins against FC Chuoni of Zanzibar and perennial campaigners from Seychelles, St. Michel, at Barbourfields.
The gold miners have scored nine goals at Barbourfields in the two home matches but Ncube yesterday sounded cautious as he anticipates tougher competition from the Nigerians.
“It’s not going to be an easy match because they also came here to compete. So we just need to concentrate on our game and make sure that we get a positive result here at home.
“The spirits are high in the camp and we are really looking forward to this game.
“Usually it’s an advantage to play well at home. So we need to take the chances that we get and bury them. It’s crucial because if we struggle at home it will not be good for us in the return leg,” said Ncube.
How Mine’s strength lies in their scoring ability as they have so far harvested 12 goals in two outings.
Their striker Kuda Musharu is one of the leading scorers in the second tier competition after banging five goals.
Chikurupati 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.
The gold miners survived the scare as they had done enough at home to put them in good stead after thrashing St. Michel 5-1 at Barbourfields.
The Bulawayo side had beaten FC Chuoni of Zanzibar home and away to emerge 6-1 aggregate victors in the preliminary round and set the tone for a promising outing in their maiden inter-club competition.
However, midfielders Warren Dube and Timothy January have been ruled out due to injuries but the pair of defenders Gilbert Banda and Nyasha Mukumbi are expected to be fit for selection after shaking off minor injuries.
Bayelsa arrived in Harare on Thursday evening and immediately connected to Bulawayo.
The club, however, encountered challenges with the immigration officials upon arrival following a communication breakdown over the issuance of visas.
Only 24 people from their delegation of 43 had been granted visas when they left Nigeria and the Zifa officials had to run around to secure the documentation for the remainder before they were allowed to leave the airport.
Richard Bubagha, who has just assumed the role of heading the Bayelsa technical bench, said they were ready for battle.
Bubagha, who has worked as assistant coach in his professional career from 2008, took over the reins following the sudden departure of experienced technical director Ladan Bosso last month.
The Nigerian side beat AS Kondzo of Congo 2-0 on aggregate in the first round in Bubagha first assignment as head coach.
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 at home.
Bayelsa have the experience of goalkeeper Gideon Gambo, playmakers Mutiu Adegoke, Oluwafemi Oladapo and strikers Ebitimi Agogu and Ebimobowei to lead the squad.
Bayelsa United captain Salomon Junior told MTN Football that they will be coming to Zimbabwe to get a victory that should set them on the path for a possible group stage play-off with teams relegated from the Champions League.
“It is going to be a good game for us, though we know nothing about our opponents, but football is the same everywhere, we just want to go on to the pitch, do our job and get a good result. We are gunning for victory,” said Junior.
The return leg will be played next week in Nigeria.
Online Reporter