Zimpapers Logo

Kelvin Kaindu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Lovemore Zigara: Sports Reporters
HOW Mine need to do serious soul searching when they troop onto the Ascot Stadium turf in Gweru for a date with Chapungu this afternoon to avoid being labelled potential relegation candidates.

The gold miners have gone four matches without a win, scoring once in 360 minutes of football, a bad statistic for such a well-funded team.

How Mine’s last win was against Caps United, whom they beat 2-1, before losing 0-2 to Hwange, drawing 0-0 with FC Platinum, 1-1 with Tsholotsho and falling 0-2 to Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday.

Coach Kelvin Kaindu is aware of the dangers of failing to win this afternoon and says they need to get back on the rails. He welcomes back striker Charles Sibanda, who missed the loss to Highlanders as he was attending trials in South Africa with Black Leopards.

“We need to get back on track,” said Kaindu.

Against Highlanders, the gold miners conceded silly goals, just as they had done in their 1-1 stalemate against Tsholotsho.

Their defence of Qadr Amini, Tapuwa Kumbuyani and Praise Tonha needs to put their house in order.

Amini, in particular, looks more menacing when on the offensive than thwarting raids.

There is already talk that Bosso’s free-scoring Bruce Kangwa is on their shopping list, as Kaindu seems to have recognised that the defence needs to shape up.

“Our defending has not been good. We concede easy goals,” said Kaindu.

With players like Kuda Musharu, Pasca Manhanga, Sibanda, Godfrey Nguwodzawo and goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, How Mine surely shouldn’t be struggling, but among the early season pace setters.

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino has already the stoked fires, saying their win over Border Strikers was a morale booster and they were now ready for any team.

He said he would be looking at nothing short of maximum points to move to safety.

“The weekend victory lifted our morale and we are now fully geared for any team.

“We have been doing well in previous matches, but the final touch always eluded us. The win is the right tonic we were missing in the previous matches. Confidence is now back among players and we are looking for another victory against How Mine,” declared Nyikadzino.