How Mine knuckle down for big fight

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
IT will be gloves off when How Mine FC takes on Nigeria’s Bayelsa United in the first leg of the second round Orange Caf Confederation Cup match at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon. Both sides seem geared up for the clash with How Mine out to maintain their fine run at home in the tournament that has seen them clobber visiting teams with convincing wins.

Chikurupati, as they are affectionately known, How Mine have been merciless at home thrashing Chuoni FC of Zanzibar 4-0 in the first leg of the preliminary round before drubbing visiting St Michel of Seychelles 5-1 in the first leg of the first round to set a date with Bayelsa United.

On the other hand, Bayelsa United made it to the second round of the competition following their 2-0 win at home over AS Kondzo of Congo.
How Mine FC gaffer Philani “Beefy” Ncube said his boys would do the talking on the field of play and were geared up for Bayelsa United.

“We respect every team that we play be it in a friendly match, league or Orange Caf Confederation Cup but we only have one target which is to beat our opponents. On the field of play we lose respect because that is our work place and whoever comes our way should be prepared to face the consequences.

“Bayelsa United did not get to this stage because of luck but it was through their hard work and we also worked hard to be at this stage and we want to remain in the tournament which means we have to go an extra mile. The good thing is that everyone has been working hard but I am concerned about one or two players with knocks,” Ncube said.

Striker Kuda Musharu had light training on Thursday alongside Menard Mupera and sat out yesterday’s session with captain Gilbert Banda shrugging off a thigh injury to remain in contention for a starting place today while his partner in central defence Nyasha Mukumbi is said to have pulled a muscle.

Musharu, who broke his right toe, has six goals from four games in the tournament while Mupera, who pulled a muscle, has two goals to his account.
The miners’ hopes in creating scoring opportunities will be pinned on Xolisani “Scara” Moyo, Edmore “Digo” Muzanenhamo, Thembani Masuku and Blessing Sande with Wonder Sithole leading the attack in the absence of Musharu.

Veteran goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura is likely to start ahead of Young Warriors’ Number One Donovan Bernard with the experienced trio of George Magariro, Nyasha Mukumbi and Herbert Dick fighting for two central defence positions.

Brighton Dube and Morris Kadzola are competing for a starting place on the right side of defence with Nelson Tachi almost guaranteed of the leftback role.
Meanwhile, the Nigerians had a training session at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday afternoon with the coach Richard Bubagha declining to comment saying he would do so after the match.

Speaking to the Nigerian media, Bubagha said his team was ready for How Mine FC.
Bayelsa United defeated AS Kondzo of Congo 2-0 to set a date with How Mine.

“The team is ready for the task ahead. We know that How Mine is a big club in Zimbabwe and can be dangerous, but every player in the team is focused and determined to do well in the first leg which comes up in Zimbabwe.

“I am happy with the way the boys approached the last game against Kondzo. They knew what they wanted and got the job done.
“Nobody gave us a chance against Kondzo when we travelled to Brazaville to get a goalless draw. But we are gradually getting into our rhythm and our supporters will smile at the end of the match,” Bubagha said.

The West Africans are likely to be coming down for a draw and How Mine on the other hand will have to guard against conceding so that they are not under pressure for the return leg.

Bayelsa United are keeping their fingers crossed for their two goalkeepers to recover in time for the match after picking up injuries during their goalless league draw against Gombe United last weekend. Their first-choice goalkeeper Gideon Gambo, who was stretchered off, has recovered with his replacement Kazeem Yekeen, who picked a hamstring injury, ruled out.

Bayelsa United have 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 to look at and Peter Ebimobowei, who scored one of the goals against AS Kondzo.

Others with continental experience include 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 should partner Ebimobowei, in the attack.
Meanwhile, Eritrean referees Maeruf Kherseed (centre) and his assistants Angesom Ogbamariam, Berhe Tesfagiorghis O’Michael and Luelseghed Ghebremichael will handle the match.

Kherseed officiated at the Fifa World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Namibia at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek last year which ended in a 1-1 draw with O’Michael and Ghebremichael assisting him.

Leslie Liunda from Tanzania will be the match commissioner.