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HOW Mine coach Luke Masomere has stoked the flames ahead of their Chibuku Super Cup first round match against Highlanders on Sunday, saying his men are ready to stand up and be counted.
Last year, How Mine were beaten 3-1 by Highlanders in the quarter-finals.
“Personally, I am happy to play Highlanders as they give us good competition and they are the number one club in Bulawayo while we are second so it is a brothers’ affair,” said Masomere. “They are playing good football and posting some results but we also want to win the game. We have problems, but that doesn’t mean we cannot deliver.
“We know they won a Cup game against Dynamos and it is good for them but I am concentrating on my team and I know we are not pushovers.
“We respect Highlanders and we love their style of play but football is very funny and I don’t think we should be taken lightly. We are not a mediocre team, we are a good team.”
How Mine are missing a number of players who have been sidelined by injuries. The duo of striker Charles Sibanda and James Chitereki has been ruled out for the remainder of the season while forward Limited Chikafa has left the club in a huff to return to ZPC Kariba. Dalubuhle Moraka has left for Cyprus leaving the club with four vacant slots.
“We are in full swing preparing for the match though we have challenges. We have four slots that were left vacant and were not filled up during the transfer window.
“We failed to beef up the squad due to some administrative issues.
“Charles Sibanda is out for the remainder of the season, he has broken ribs and collarbone as well as James Chitereki who is also injured and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
“We wanted to fill up the slots with players such as Pervington Zimunya but we couldn’t.
“And on top of the four vacant slots we have injuries with Benjamin Marere, Menard Mupera, Nelson Tachi, Timothy January injured and they are going to be missing this weekend.
“But we will have to deal with the situation as it is and we are not crying but just informing people.
“We might have Muparati (Tawanda) back in the fold. Devon Chafa is also back and he is now fit to play again after he last played when we played ZPC Kariba,” said Masomere.
Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu, who will meet newboys Tsholotsho at Gibbo on Sunday, says he have shifted his focus to the Cup game.
“The most important thing is to appreciate the sponsors that come on board during difficult times,” said Kaindu.
Fixtures
Chibuku Super Cup Draw
Today: Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro).
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve), FC Platinum v Dongo Sawmill (Mandava), Chapungu v Flame Lily (Ascot), Dynamos v Whawha (Rufaro).
Sunday: Triangle v Tsholotsho (Gibbo), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields )CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)
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