How Mine offloads 8 players

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine is set to offload about eight players from their 2014 squad with coach Luke Masomere saying he is bringing in an equal number. Players already signed by Masomere, who won the championship with Amazulu, include former Highlanders goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, Benjamin Marere from FC Platinum, Leftara Ndale from Masvingo and Caps United captain Tapuwa Kumbuyani. It is believed the quartet are on a two-year contract although Masomere refused to divulge the length of their contracts.

Masomere revealed the new developments yesterday at How Mine Stadium as he began his pre-season preparations that however got off to a shacky start after a bus dispatched from the mine to ferry trialists from Bulawayo broke down before getting to the City of Kings. The break down forced the gold miners to begin their trials with rookies from the mine and lower league sides from Bulawayo.

“The bus might have broken down yes, but we are full time on the job, they will come today (yesterday) and we will continue with our preparations. All the players will be on trials as I want to assess each and everyone of them because I know that some of them were playing social football during the off-season and could have picked up some injuries,” said Masomere.

He said he wanted to come up with a team that will closely monitor developments in the championship race before going for the big one next year.

“We are not eyeing the championship this year because I am literally rebuilding a team. When you bring in a minimum of eight players you are building a new team but if you bring in three or four additions, you are beefing up. Come tomorrow and I will give you the full list of players that are going,” he said.

The much travelled former Hwange player and gaffer said contracts for some of the players to be offloaded had expired while others were being offloaded because they had failed to impress on the field of play.

Players whose contracts expired last season include former skipper and still hugely talented Gilbert Banda, Edmore Muzanenhamo who is already training with Highlanders as well as Warren Dube and Brighton Dube.

Warren is also training with the Bulawayo giants.

Veteran goalminder Ephraim Mazarura, even though still contracted is likely to be among the players set to be shown the door today.

Masomere said he was impressed with most of the youngsters that came for trials yesterday and would definitely sign some while others could form his junior development side.