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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
HOW Mine FC players yesterday boycotted training at Luveve Stadium in protest against the failure by the club to pay them signing on fees.According to sources, the players started by staging a sit-in on Wednesday forcing the executive to intervene yesterday. The executive promised to pay the outstanding money soon.
The players’ demands come a few days before the Metallon Gold-sponsored club takes on Bulawayo giants Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
In an interview last night, How Mine’s vice-chairman Alpha Matumbura confirmed the development which he said they had since resolved.
“It is true that our players staged a sit-in but we have since resolved the matter. As a club we acknowledge that we owe them part of their signing on fees but it is unfortunate that they had to do this especially at a time when we have a big game. What we have said is that we are going to pay them half of what we owe them after the game on Sunday and we will clear everything by the end of the week,” said Matumbura.
The club hopes to use the Sunday gate takings to pay the outstanding money. The gold miners are at home and they will be hoping that Bulawayo soccer fans come in their numbers for the city derby.
At the beginning of the week How Mine had been given permission to hike gate charges for their big game from $3 to $5 for the rest of the ground so that they could maximise on their profits.
However, the club resolved to resort to the normal charges in the hope of attracting a big crowd. The gold miners’ executive agreed to have the lowest ticket going for $3 with the wings at $5 while the VIP will cost $10.
How Mine’s chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo confirmed the development which he said was to afford soccer spectators an opportunity to watch the last derby of the year.
“This is a big match and as How Mine we want to thank the community of Bulawayo that has been supporting us by coming to our matches. We therefore want to afford them an opportunity to watch the last derby in the City of Kings. We met as an executive on
Tuesday night and resolved to revert to the usual charges.
“Naturally such big games are an opportunity to make money but we feel that if we hike the charges, the ordinary man will not afford to watch the match. We hope soccer enthusiasts in the city will come in their numbers,” said Nkomo.
A lot is at stake for both How Mine and Highlanders on Sunday with the epic battle set to be a thriller.
How Mine, eighth on the table with 28 points after 20 outings, are not safe from relegation and they will want maximum points so that they move up the ladder.
The points difference between How Mine and Monomotapa which is the fourth team from the bottom, is just six points and for that reason, the gold miners will be hoping to make the most out of the game against Bosso as they are aware that every point at this stage is vital for their survival.
In the first leg, How Mine beat the Bulawayo giants 2-1 at Barbourfields Stadium with veteran defender Hebert Dick and Nqobile Mpala scoring for the miners.
Dick beat his goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumiremhete to give Bosso a consolation goal. When How Mine snatched three points from Highlanders in the first leg, they had Philani Mabhena as their head coach but he has since been fired and replaced by Philani “Beefy” Ncube who is seeking his first win against Bosso.
The best result that Ncube has had against Highlanders as a gaffer since his days with Njube Sundowns has been a draw.
How Mine are capable of upsetting the Bulawayo giants as they have on paper exceptionally talented players like former Highlanders’ quintet Brighton Dube, Gilbert Banda, Mpala, Dick and Arnold Ndiweni.
They also have striker Simba Sithole, Timothy January and Eddie Nkulungo who can win matches for them.
On the other hand, Highlanders will be out for maximum points as they are looking at keeping their championship hopes alive.
The Bulawayo giants who missed last season’s title because of an inferior goal difference after being tied on 69 points with champions Dynamos, will not want a repeat of last season where city rivals Chicken Inn disturbed them with a draw at Barbourfields.
Highlanders trail joint leaders Dynamos and Harare City — who have amassed 38 points – by a point and Bosso is seeking nothing other than maximum points to stay within the title race.
Hopes are high within the Bosso faithfuls that Masimba Mambare who has been a disappointment this season in club colours, bring his national team scoring form to the club.
Other players expected to carry the day for Bosso include the evergreen Bruce Kangwa, Gabriel ‘Mabhulugwe’ Nyoni, Peter ‘Rio’ Moyo, Mthulisi Maphosa and skipper Innocent Mapuranga.
Fixtures
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Black Rhinos (Luveve), Tripple B v Hwange (Dulibadzimu), Shabanie Mine v Motor Action (Maglas)
Sunday: How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro), Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Monomotapa (Mandava)
Monday: Black Mambas v Buffaloes (Morris Depot)
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