adminThe gold miners retained Jeremiah Makota and Sheunesu Chaka who were co-coaches when they won promotion into the country’s elite league.
Chaka and Makota will assist Mabhena.
Mabhena is not new to top flight football having assisted Philani “Beefy” Ncube at Chicken Inn before joining Zvishavane’s FC Platinum.
Mabhena has also worked under Madinda Ndlovu, the late Benjamin Moyo and former national team coach Rahman Gumbo.
At one time he was FC Platinum’s acting coach following the untimely death of Moyo in 2011 before the Mimosa Mine sponsored club hired Gumbo.
Mabhena beat Ncube who was also in the running for the job.
Mlondolozi Nkomo, the How Mine chairman confirmed Mabhena’s appointment and said they were impressed with his curriculum vitae.
“When we were in Division One we had Makota and Chaka leading us and the two gentlemen did a sterling job winning the title. After being promoted into the Premiership, we sat down as an executive and spoke to the two gentlemen (Chaka and Makota) and it was agreed that we need to appoint a head coach who they are going to understudy because Division One is different from the PSL.
“We looked around, spoke to a number of people formally and informally, conducted interviews and we were impressed with Mabhena’s CV. As a club, we are happy to announce the appointment of Philani Mabhena as our coach. He has been given a two-year contract,” said Nkomo.
The How Mine boss said it was now up to Mabhena and his two assistant coaches to assemble a squad to compete in the Premiership.
Mabhena, a holder of Caf C Licence, Fifa Development Coaching Certificate and a local Level Four certificate, immediately got down to business and was confident of coming up with a competitive squad.
Some of the players that trained under Mabhena yesterday at Hamilton High School grounds with Premiership experience include ex-FC Platinum trio of defender Brighton Dube, midfielder Ntokozo Tshuma and striker Simon Njeleza, former Highlanders defender Brighton Choto and Hwange’s defensive midfielder Ocean Mpofu.
There are also a number of players from relegated Quelaton who are trying their luck at How Mine.
Some of the ex-Quelaton players are Timothy January, Eddie Nkulungo, goalkeeper Freedom Magaba and defender Prince “Ndongo” Ncube.
The gold miners’ preparations for the new season has started and Mabhena said he was optimistic that they will survive in the elite league.
“I did not hesitate to take the How Mine’s coaching job. To be honest, in football time is never enough. We could be behind most teams in terms of preparations but at the end of the day there is a deadline to meet and I believe we are capable of coming up with a team that will be competitive,” said Mabhena.
Online Reporter