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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine FC have maintained the squad that beat Nigeria’s Bayelsa United in the first leg, second round match of the Orange Caf Confederation Cup on Saturday. How Mine leave for West Africa tomorrow for the return leg set for Saturday, confident of proceeding to the next stage of the tournament as they carry a 2-1 lead after the weekend fixture. They scored through Morris Kadzola and Menard Mupera.
It is the away goal that the Nigerians got that puts How Mine’s chances of progressing to the next round under threat.
The Zimbabwean representatives in continental football need an outright win or any draw to qualify to the next round.
Coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube and his charges are bracing for a tough away encounter, confident of upsetting the Nigerians. It is positive attitude and ability to turn in scoring opportunities that can lead How Mine to continue with their fairytale run in the competition.
Experienced goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura who was beaten from close range by Bernard Okorowanta on Saturday will be deputised by Nonjabulo Dube with captain Gilbert Banda leading from the back.
Banda will partner either George Magariro or Nyasha Mukumbi at central defence while Kadzola who has proved to be effective every time he ventures upfront will start on the right side of defence with Brighton Dube starting ahead of Terrence Majo at leftback.
How Mine are likely to congest their midfield like they did in the first leg with Ncube expected to deploy five midfielders Mupera, Xolisani Moyo, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Thembani Masuku and Wonder Sithole who might play behind lone striker Kuda Musharu.
The goldminers’ midfielders have a knack for scoring important goals and it is against such a background that Ncube might encourage his quintet to take a go at their opponents.
Chikurupati also have in their travelling squad utility player Blessing Sande, Emmanuel Matiranga, Donald Chirinda and James Chitereki who can influence the result to their favour.
Ncube is confident that his squad will sail through to the next round.
“Like I said before, we cannot go there with a cautious approach as that will prove detrimental. I believe that the 2-1 lead is a healthy result because it takes away the element of complacency going for the return leg. Remember what happened when we went for the second leg against St Michel in Seychelles with a 5-1 lead? The boys thought we had won the game but that was not the case as we found ourselves trailing 3-0 at half time.
“What we have to do is to go at them because we saw that they can be beaten. We can match them blow for blow. I know they will up their game in the second leg since they will be home but we are also working hard to make sure that we play to the best of our ability and get a positive result. We just have to be clinical upfront and bury our chances,” said Ncube.
Meanwhile, the goldminers will tomorrow sleep over in Johannesburg and connect to Lagos from OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning.
How Mine chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo said they have been told that the match will not be played at Yenagoa where Bayelsa United are based.
According to information online, Bayelsa United have shifted base for their matches to Delta State’s Sapele which is 386km from Lagos. The nearest airport to Sepele is in Warri which is 47km away and only caters for domestic flights.
“We were told that they will not play at their home so we are waiting for them to advise us about the venue. However, we will fly to Lagos which is nearer to where the game will be played,” said Nkomo.
In their last Orange Caf Confederation Cup game at home Bayelsa United eliminated Congolese club Kondzo FC with a 2-0 win. They had forced a goalless draw in Brazzaville before their home victory.
How Mine squad for Bayelsa United
Goalkeepers: Ephraim Mazarura, Nonjabulo Dube
Defenders: Morris Kadzola, Terrence Majo, George Magariro, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda, Blessing Sande, Brighton Dube
Midfielders: Menard Mupera, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Emmanuel Mandiranga, Thembani Masuku, Xolisani Moyo, Donald Chirinda, James Chitereki
Strikers: Kuda Musharu, Wonder Sithole
Technical team: Philani Ncube (head coach), Sheunesu Chaka (assistant coach), Simba Rusike (assistant coach), Themba Sibanda (goalkeepers’ coach), Mwatsachambe Mwale (manager), Mpumelelo Sibanda (team doctor)
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