How Mine reflects

 

Sports Reporter
HOW Mine coach Philani Ncube says Nigeria’s Bayelsa United gave them a tough contest after his side claimed a narrow home win in the first leg of the Confederation Cup second round match at the weekend.A late penalty converted by vet­eran midfielder Menard Mupera handed Chikurupati the advan­tage ahead of the return leg this week.

Defender Morris Kadzola had levelled the terms after the Nige­rians had surged ahead through Bernard Okorowanta soon after the half time break.

Ncube was worried by his team’s wastefulness and revealed they need to work on their short­comings ahead of the team’s departure on Wednesday.

“It was a very tough game. It was not easy to break the Nige­rian team. Remember they are one of the top teams in Nigeria.

“We played well, but we missed several good chances. We were not clinical in front of goal but it’s still game on, though. We need maximum concentration.

“We need to be accurate but I am happy we are creating the chances. It is a positive sign and as long as we are creating those chances we are in the right path. I believe things will come right if we work on our shortcomings.

“We need to go there and try as much as possible to keep posses­sion and we will attack from the onset and then see what happens at the end of the day,” said Ncube.

Regular striker Kuda Musharu was not on target for the first time in their brief run in the competi­tion and was guilty of missing a good chance after getting to the end of Mupera’s cross.

There were however concerns about his fitness after complain­ing of a toe injury ahead of the game.