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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP champions Dynamos who are in their third Caf Champions League appearance are still faced with financial challenges to make it into Africa. Dynamos won $70,000 for being crowned league champions and the prize money is far from what they need for the African Safari.
Even their primary sponsor BancABC has not made a commitment to funding them for the Caf clubs competition.
Despite the financial dilemma that they are in, Kenny Mubaiwa, the Dynamos chairman, was adamant that they would fulfil their Caf Champions League matches.
“It is not a secret that we do not have money but we will definitely go to Africa since we have been registered. We do not want to be banned like what happened to Highlanders.
“We are still carrying our begging bowl and it is our hope that football stakeholders and the corporate world will assist us. When we go for that competition, it’s not about fulfilling fixtures but to compete to the best of our ability and for that reason we need resources to motivate our players,” said Mubaiwa.
Meanwhile, Caf Orange Confederations Cup representatives How Mine’s executive meets today to review their 2013 season performance as well as plan for their African safari.
How Mine will open their account with a home tie against Zanzibar’s Chuoni FC on the weekend of 7-9 February with the return leg taking place in a fortnight.
The gold miners benefited from Highlanders’ ban from continental football and are eagerly waiting for Mbada Diamonds’ response on bankrolling them in the Caf Orange Confederations Cup.
How Mine lost to Highlanders in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final.
The sponsors had made an undertaking to subsidise the country’s Caf Orange Cup representatives with the $110,000 that they had set aside to cater for playing kits as well as travelling expenses.
In an interview yesterday, How Mine chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo, said today’s meeting was meant to put in place machinery for continental and domestic campaign.
“We are meeting tomorrow (today) to review our season’s performance and also discuss the way forward in as far as our Caf Orange Confederation Cup appearance is concerned. We are approaching the Christmas holiday and we have to know the way forward before the year ends. Everyone is busy running around making sure that everything goes well and after the meeting, I will be able to give you a clear picture about what would have been discussed at our meeting,” said Nkomo.
Already, the gold miners have shown a keen interest in having a formidable side for Africa by identifying some players for their squad.
They have retained the services of experienced players in the form of captain Gilbert Banda, Hebert Dick, Mernard Mupera, goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura and Nyasha Mukumbi all of whom once played continental football.
How Mine is reportedly after the signature of Buffaloes’ striker Stephen “Dealer” Sibanda, Morris Kadzola and Tendai Samanja of Caps United.
Online Reporter