admin
Ricky Zililo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Caf Orange Confederation Cup representatives How Mine FC will have their first taste of international football when they take on Botswana’s Tafic FC in Francistown this afternoon.How Mine have an early season kickoff, playing host to Chuoni FC of Zanzibar in the first leg of the Caf Orange Confederation Cup preliminary round at Barbourfields Stadium on February 8 before travelling for the return leg in East Africa in a fortnight.
The gold miners have been busy with their training and coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube is happy with the progress his players have made.
He said the game against Tafic who anchor log standings in Botswana’s Premiership is meant to measure his players’ match fitness.
“We have been working hard doing physical training as well as ball work. We have had to compress all this within three weeks and now it is time that we see the players’ match fitness levels,” said Ncube.
“I know Tafic are at the bottom of their log standings but I still expect them to give us a good run. You know we still have to work on combinations and see how new players gel with the older guys.”
The 2009 Premiership Coach of the Year has been overwhelmed with the amount of players trying their luck at his club. The ambitious gold miners have beefed their squad for the continental competition signing former Dynamos defender George Magariro, striker Kudakwashe Musharu who joined camp on Monday, Harare City’s Tendai Ngulube, young Aces Academy and national Under-20 goalkeeper Donovan Benard, Caps United’s Marvel Samaneka, Gunners’ James Chitereki, and Edmore Muzanenhamo from Zifa Southern Region Division One side Ntabazinduna Prison.
How Mine retained goalkeepers Ephraim Mazarura and Nonjabulo Dube, right back Brighton Dube, Terrence Majo, Herbert Dick, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda and Nelson Tachi.
Also retained is midfielder Menard Mupera, who has been reportedly considering retiring, Xolisani Moyo, Warren Dube, Timothy January, Thembani “Smaller” Masuku, Donald Chiringa, Eddie Nkulungo, Simba Sithole and Qinani “Chroma” Sibanda.
Ncube has been assessing Dynamos’ winger Benjamin Marere, former Bosso players Heritein Masuku, Graham Ncube and Thabani Moyo over the last week.
“What I want is a striker. If we get a good striker then we are home and dry. As for the trialists, we haven’t made up our minds because focus is on building a strong team for the Caf club competition,” said Ncube.
Upon their return from Botswana, Ncube said they would play two friendly matches with local clubs before their Chuoni FC match.
How Mine Caf Orange Confederation Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Ephraim Mazarura, Nonjabulo Dube, Donovan Bernard
Defenders: Brighton Dube, Morris Kadzola, Terrence Majo, James Chitereki, Hebert Dick, George Magariro, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda, Nelson Tachi
Midfielders: Tendai Ngulube, Menard Mupera, Xolisani Moyo, Warren Dube, Marvel Samaneka, Timothy January, Wonder Sithole, Thembani Masuku, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Eddie Nkulungo
Strikers: Simba Sithole, Qinani Sibanda, Kudakwashe Musharu
Online Reporter