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Senior Sports Reporter
MORALE is high in the How Mine Football Club camp ahead of their Orange Caf Confederation Cup first leg encounter against Nigeria’s Bayelsa United on Saturday with captain Gilbert Banda confident of victory.The goldminers skipper said they are not intimidated by Bayelsa United’s history in the tournament as they are also out to write their own.
The Nigerians are 2009 Orange Caf Confederation Cup losing semi-finalists and last participated in the continental clubs’ competition in 2010 in the Caf Champions League where they failed to go beyond the preliminary round.
The Yenagoa based side finished third in their domestic league last season and earned the ticket to play in the Caf Confederation Cup.
“Everyone is working hard to make sure that they make it into the final squad that will play on Saturday and we are positive of getting a good result. What drives the guys is that the club is participating for the first time in continental football and we want to write our own piece of history.
“Remember, we are carrying the nation’s hopes and knowing that also motivates us,” said Banda who is bullish ahead of Saturday’s encounter and wants the team to continue with its ruthless display at home.
How Mine has been merciless at home so far mauling Chuoni FC of Zanzibar 4-0 in the first leg of the preliminary round and handing Seychelles’ St Michel a 5-1 hiding in the first leg of the first round.
“Everyone is hungry to score which is good for the team. What is good about us is that we don’t rely on an individual but it is all about teamwork. If strikers deployed are marked out, we have midfielders and defenders that can score. What we want is to maintain our home form and probably go with a healthy lead for the return leg.
“At this stage from my experience visiting teams tend to try and go for an early goal before laying back and at times frustrating the home side but we are ready for anything. We have been training hard to make sure that we get a positive result and whatever approach that they bring, we will stick to our game plan,” Banda said.
Warren Dube, nursing a knee injury and dribbling wizard, Timothy January, who hurt his ankle, have been ruled out of the tie.
For goals, How Mine will bank on their key striker Kuda Musharu who has scored six goals in four matches.
How Mine boast of players with national team and Caf clubs competitions experience like goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura, Gilbert Banda, George Magariro, Hebert Dick, Mernard Mupera and their leading striker Musharu.
Some of the players that have been key in their campaign include Nyasha Mukumbi, Morris Kadzola, Brighton Dube, Xolisani “Scara” Moyo and Edmore “Digo” Muzanenhamo.
Online Reporter