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NEWLY appointed How Mine coach Luke Masomere gets a big test in his first assignment when he faces Dynamos in the semi-finals of the One Wallet Cup at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane this afternoon.
Masomere, who coached Dynamos in 2004 but did not complete the season with the club, was not keen on talking about his history with the Glamour Boys ahead of today’s do-or-die clash.
“I don’t want this issue of my former association with Dynamos coming up each time we play against them,’’ said Masomere.
Officially introduced as the replacement for Philani “Beefy” Ncube as How Mine head coach last Tuesday, Masomere has had little time to fine tune his boys for such a big assignment. He took charge of the team’s training sessions from Sheunesu Chaka last Wednesday. This has not given the much travelled coach enough time to prepare his players for the massive test that is posed by Dynamos.
Masomere feels that since he has not watched his new team in action, he would be in a better position to speak after today’s match.
“We have not had the best of preparations but we are prepared. I have not watched my team in action so I am going to have a better idea of how they play after the Dynamos match,’’ Masomere said.
With nine matches to go in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Masomere is now focused on preparing the team for next season.
On today’s clash, Masomere believes that if his boys play good football and show some improvement, they can progress to the final of the NetOne sponsored competition.
Last season How Mine knocked Dynamos out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup at the last eight stages following a 1-0 win at Rufaro Stadium and Chikurupati might be looking for a repeat act this afternoon.
Masomere will have to do without the services of the injured midfield trio of veteran Menard Mupera, sidelined by an ankle injury, Edmore Muzanenhamo (groin) and Louis Matawu who has problems to do with the ankle.
The How Mine coach will look up to skipper Gilbert Banda, Brighton Dube, Caleb Masocha, Nyasha Mukumbi, George Magariro, Kudakwashe Musharu, Timothy January, Wonder Sithole to lead his side to victory.
Dynamos have since pardoned veteran Murape Murape and forward Roderick Mutuma following a training bust up. Team manager Richard Chihoro yesterday confirmed the two have since been forgiven and would be available for selection and it was up to the technical team led by head coach Callisto Pasuwa to throw them into the fray this afternoon.
Besides the two, Dynamos will bank on the exploits of goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi, Blessing Moyo, Thomas Magorimbo, Themba Ndlovu, Augustine Mbara, Steven Alimenda, Tafadzwa Rusike, Ronald Chitiyo, Washington Pakamisa and Simba Sithole.
How Mine booked their place in the last four of the tournament with a 4-3 win on penalties over Highlanders after their match had ended 1-1 at Ascot Stadium while Dynamos got the better of city rivals Caps United with a 1-0 victory at the National Sports Stadium.
Winners of the inaugural edition of the One Wallet Cup will pocket $80 000, losing finalists $50 000 while the losing semi-finalists are going to be rewarded with $30 000 each.
Online Reporter