adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
HOW Mine FC coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube will have his probable squad for their Orange Caf Confederation Cup campaign after their two weekend friendly matches in the capital against Harare City and Dynamos.
How Mine are expected to leave today for the capital with Ncube taking along a squad of 25 players for the two matches.
The gold miners will play host to Chuoni FC of Zanzibar at Barbourfields Stadium on February 8 in the first leg of the preliminary round of the Orange Caf Confederation Cup.
As part of their preparations for their maiden continental tour, How Mine will today play Castle Lager Premiership third place finishers Harare City.
City ended the season tied on 54 points with champions Dynamos and Highlanders.
Tomorrow, the ambitious miners will take on Dynamos. Ncube has demanded maximum commitment from his players.
“We will decide the squad after tomorrow morning’s training session. I am happy that at last we have managed to get competitive clubs like Harare City and Dynamos agreeing to help us shape up for Africa. As much as these are friendly matches, I want commitment from everyone. I will use these matches to work on combinations and shortlist the players for the game against Chuoni FC,” said Ncube. Last season, How Mine held Harare City to a 1-1 draw in the capital before losing 0-1 at home in the reverse tie.
Against Dynamos, How Mine received a baptism of fire at Rufaro Stadium where they lost 3-0 before surprising the champions with a 1-0 victory in Bulawayo.
Ncube is likely to unleash his off-season acquisitions ex-Dynamos defender George Magariro, striker Kudakwashe Musharu, Tendai Ngulube, Marvel Samaneka, James Chitereki, Morris Kadzola and Edmore Muzanenhamo.
Aces Youth Academy and national Under-20 goalkeeper Donovan Bernard who is fighting for a starting place with seasoned Ephraim Mazarura and Nonjabulo Dube, is likely to get game time in one of the matches.
Some of last season’s players retained by How Mine include rightback Brighton Dube, rock solid Herbert Dick, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda, veteran midfielder Menard Mupera, Xolisani Moyo, Warren Dube, Timothy January, Thembani “Smaller” Masuku and Eddie Nkulungo are expected to travel to Harare.
Ncube could not be drawn into commenting on Benjamin Marere and Heritein Masuku who have been trying luck at his club.
“I cannot say much about players that we did not register for the continental competition but I am definitely going to add two or three players but I would like to have strikers. Heri (Masuku) and Marere are midfielders and we will see in the next week or so because we don’t want to be seen as selfish people to keep them and then release them later,” said Ncube.
The miners’ chief striker Simba Sithole, who scored Zimbabwe’s opening goal against Mali at 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.
He is expected to join camp as soon as the Warriors arrive from South Africa.
How Mine Caf Orange Confederation Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Ephraim Mazarura, Nonjabulo Dube, Donovan Bernard.
Defenders: Brighton Dube, Morris Kadzola, Terrence Majo, James Chitereki, Herbert Dick, George Magariro, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda, Nelson Tachi
Midfielders: Tendai Ngulube, Menard Mupera, Xolisani Moyo, Warren Dube, Marvel Samaneka, Timothy January, Wonder Sithole, Thembani Masuku, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Eddie Nkulungo
Strikers: Simba Sithole, Qinani Sibanda, Kudakwashe Musharu.
Sidumisile Mabena
Online Reporter