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From Ricky Zililo in Sapele, Nigeria
HOW MINE are ready to hoist Zimbabwe’s flag when they take on Bayelsa United in the second leg of the second round Orange Caf Confederation Cup tie here this afternoon. The match kickoffs at 5PM Zimbabwean time. Chikurupati as the goldminers are known, have to stand against the hot and humid conditions if they are to defend their 2-1 lead that they are carrying from the first leg.
They have also not had the best in terms of travelling as they got a hostile reception when they arrived on Thursday. They were made to wait for at least six hours at Lagos Airport for the local football association to pick them up.
Yesterday they had their training session disrupted at the match venue with groundsmen trimming the soccer field while the Zimbabweans were having their practice. It was Philani “Beefy” Ncube coached side’s second training session of the week at the match venue having lost two days travelling to West Africa.
“We played in a more humid and hot atmosphere in Zanzibar in the first round and we hope to adjust early. Nothing is impossible and if they thought by playing mind games we will be disturbed then they have to bring more of their theatrics because we are determined for a good result.
“We are prepared to fight to the end mentally and physically. All we have to do is settle early, turn away our chances and obviously concentrate throughout the 90 minutes. We have come a long way to just lose it,” Ncube said.
Judging from yesterday’s training session, How Mine are not sitting back and will go with an open game. Experienced ex-Dynamos defender George Magariro returns to the team to play just in front of the central back duo of skipper Gilbert Banda and Nyasha Mukumbi complementing both the midfielders and the backline.
Scorer in the first leg win, Morris Kadzola and Brighton Dube will start as wingbacks with the quartet of Menard Mupera, Thembani Masuku Xolisani Moyo expected to do battle on the midfield. Leading goalscorer Kuda Musharu with six goals from five games will lead the attack. The gunman who failed to score in the first leg last Saturday looked sharp at training and if he takes that form alongside his scoring boots, he can score today. For How Mine to make it into the next stage they need to avoid defeat.
Captain Banda believes they will progress.
“Nothing is impossible. We have 11 players and we are also a team. Maybe the difference is that we are more hungry to write our own piece of history than them. I have confidence in my teammates and we will do the impossible,” said Banda.
Added the former Highlanders skipper: “I have played in continental competition before and such mind games are not affecting us. We just have to stick to the coach’s instructions and maintain the game plan.”
Meanwhile, Bayelsa United who are seventh in their domestic league are confident of knocking out How Mine.
Coach Richard Bubagha who sat on the terraces during How Mine’s training said, “We are home and we will win. We have not lost here this year and we are out to maintain that record.”
How Mine probable first 11
Ephraim Mazarura, Brighton Dube, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda, George Magariro, Morris Kadzola, Menard Mupera, Thembani Masuku, Xolisani Moyo, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Kuda Musharu
Online Reporter