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How Mine players (from left) Warren Dube, Eddie Nkulungo, Timothy January and Herbert Dick train at Luveve Stadium yesterday

Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Caf Orange Cup Confederation representatives How Mine yesterday left Bulawayo for a secret camp ahead of their preliminary round first leg match against Chuoni of Zanzibar at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.
Chikurupati, as they are known to their fans, won the right to represent Zimbabwe in the Caf Orange Confederation Cup after losing 0-3 to Highlanders in the Mbada Diamonds Cup last season.

How Mine, set to become the first Zimbabwean club to be involved in an official 2014 season match, are raring to go following two fruitful friendly matches that they played in Harare at the weekend. They beat Harare City 1-0 on Saturday before playing to a goalless draw with Dynamos on Sunday.

Off-season signing Kuda Musharu, who looks set to lead their 2014 campaign in the absence of national team striker Simba Sithole who has since joined South Africa’s Ajax Cape Town, scored the solitary goal in the capital.

Speaking before their departure for their secret camp, How Mine’s head coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube said they are going to spend the week working on their finishing.

The 2009 Premiership Coach of the Year is content with the level of competition they got from Harare City and Dynamos.
“To be honest everyone is coming to terms with the reality of playing continental football and is working hard to make sure that we are in the right state of mind by Saturday. I am happy with how the boys played against Harare City and Dynamos, but we should improve on our finishing.

“I know virtually nothing about our opponents so we just have to work on a game plan that will result in us getting goals because it is important for us to utilise home advantage. What will be key for us is to get more than two goals but we will not rush and for us to get through them we have to be patient,” said Ncube.

Having lost Sithole to Ajax Cape Town, How Mine’s remaining strikers who they registered for the continental competition are Musharu and Qinani “Chroma” Sibanda who is reportedly on his way out of the club.

Chikurupati, who are aiming at leaving a lasting impression in the Caf Orange Confederation Cup, will bank on their midfielders Menard Mupera, Warren Dube and Timothy January who have a knack for scoring goals.

They were also busy during the off-season recruiting players for both the African safari and local league. Ncube fielded most of his latest signings like rightback Morris Kadzola, George Magariro, James Chitereki, Marvel Samaneka, Young Warriors goalkeeper Donovan Bernard and Edmore Muzanenhamo.

“The new guys are gelling well and they seem to be settling well. The camp that we are going to is meant to build team spirit and work on our shortcomings,” Beefy said.