adminFrom Ricky Zililo in Lagos, Nigeria
SMARTING from a controversial Orange Caf Confederation Cup exit, How Mine are ready to challenge for domestic honours when the Castle Lager Premiership starts this weekend. How Mine lost 0-2 in the second leg of the Orange Caf Confederation Cup second round to Bayelsa United in Sapele on Saturday with captain Gilbert Banda saying they will return home with vengeance. The gold miners lost 2-3 on aggregate and face Dynamos in their league opener.
Speaking before their return home yesterday, Banda said they are geared to beat the defending champions.
“Yeah we are out of Caf competition but this was an eye-opener to us. We started the season early and right now we are geared up for any of our opponents. The guys are disappointed but it happens that you get cheated in Africa.
“We now have to do well in our domestic matches starting with the game against Dynamos,” Banda said.
How Mine played six matches in the Caf competition and the games will go a long way in their local campaign’s preparedness.
The also have players like Benjamin Marere and Heritein Masuku who they registered for the domestic league but were not in their continental tournament squad.
On Saturday their players like goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura, Menard Mupera, veteran captain Banda and Nyasha Mukumbi shone like beacons for How Mine.
Chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo praised his boys for flying their flag high.
“This was our first competition and the boys did well in our maiden Caf tournament. This was an eye-opener and we want to return back to Africa and what we have to do is do well in our league. There are some prophets of doom who never gave us a chance but losing at this stage shows that we have a strong squad to challenge for everything in the domestic league,” Nkomo said.
The miners are expected home this afternoon.
Online Reporter