Vimisayi heads back to Hwange

ahead of the Confederation Cup next season.
Hwange’s participation in the Confederation Cup had appeared uncertain after they failed to secure third place in the league championship and could not qualify as per the Caf regulations.
However, with four slots on the offer for Zimbabwe, it appears Caf have gone for flexibility and Hwange were thrust into the draw.
Vimisayi has been playing at Dynamos, on loan, in the last two seasons. Hwange are one of the two participants from Zimbabwe in Caf’s second tier competition, along with Motor Action.
Club secretary Burzil Dube yesterday indicated that Vimisayi could return to the coal-mining town next season as they seek to bolster their squad ahead of the tournament.
Dube said Hwange were looking forward to a good show in Africa after getting a fair draw at the weekend against unknown Zanzibar side Jamuri and a possible date against Sudan outfit El Amal Otbara in the first round.
Although he could not shed more light on the fate of Vimisayi, Dube made it clear that the club will be out to beef up with at least three players for next season’s league and Confederation Cup campaigns.
“Vimisayi is our player and is still contracted to us,” said Dube.
“We are still negotiating with the prospective candidates and I cannot reveal the names now for obvious reasons since we haven’t agreed on anything solid yet.
“What I can only tell you is that we want players for the following positions – defence, midfield anchor and strike-force.
“So we are looking for at least three players.”
Dube conceded that Hwange, who are making a rare appearance in Africa next year, don’t know much about Jamuri or El Amal Etbara of Sudan.
“We treat Jamuri just like a team in the Premiership. The fact that they qualified for the Confederation Cup shows that they are a force to reckon with in the country where they come from. So we just need to be thoroughly prepared for them. Right now we are contemplating a friendly with a Zambian club, most probably Red Arrows during our pre-season preparation to get the players in the mood,” said Dube.
Hwange, who played FC Platinum in a friendly match at the weekend are set to have a short break for the festive season, and will regroup for their pre-season preparations a week after the New Year.
The country’s other representatives, Motor Action, were drawn against lowly South Africa Premiership side Black Leopards in the preliminary round. The Mighty Bulls will be competing in Africa for the second year in succession following their maiden Champions League appearance early this year. Motor Action coach Joey Antipas said they wanted to make a big impression in the tourney.
“We were paired with South Africa’s Black Leopards and I would like to believe they are not a bad team.
“Just like in any other tournament we need to be soundly prepared.
“You cannot do well unless you are well prepared for the task and, that also includes planning ahead,” said Antipas.
The Mighty Bulls got exposure at the highest level on the continent early this year when they participated in the Champions League but failed in the first round after losing to seasoned campaigners Asec Mimosa in a one-off qualifier at Rufaro. The Harare side lost in a penalty shootout.
“We learnt a lot from taking part in the Champions League this year and if only we can improve from that then we stand a good chance. As is always the case, players move during this period of the year. We are not sure who is going and who is staying but it looks like we might be able to retain the bulk of our squad,” said Antipas.
Leopards, who currently sit second from bottom in the Supa Diski, have never played in the continental inter-club tournaments.