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How Mine chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo (left) introduces new coach Luke Masomere (right) to other members of the technical team, Themba Sibanda (second from left), Jeremiah Makate, the juniors’ coach and assistant coach Isheanesu Chaka at St Columbas yesterday

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
NOMADIC coach Luke Masomere yesterday said his immediate goal at How Mine is to build a squad to fight for the championship next season. This was a bold statement by the much-travelled gaffer considering that How Mine are staring relegation as they sit precariously on position 12 with 24 points from 21 games.

Masomere arrived at How Mine’s St Columbas training ground midway through the afternoon session which was being conducted by Isheanesu Chaka, goalkeepers’ coach Themba Sibanda and head of juniors Jeremiah Makate.

“It feels good to be back in Bulawayo after 10 years with my last dance here being with AmaZulu. I have fond memories of my previous stay and winning the championship with AmaZulu is one of those that I treasure most. Hopefully, I will be able to write more memories but my immediate goal is to assemble a strong side to fight for the league title next year,” said Masomere.

Reminded that How Mine were treading dangerously near the bottom of the table, Masomere said; “I’m not talking about assembling a squad for the lower division but it’s about the Premiership.”

He is one of the most travelled coaches in the Premiership having coached Hwange, Dynamos, Caps United, now defunct Caps FC, Masvingo United, Shabanie Mine and Buffaloes among other topflight clubs.

How Mine’s chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo was confident that Masomere would lead them to greater heights.
“He brings valuable experience to the club and we hope that he will put smiles to our followers. We will support him in every way we can just like we have been doing,” Nkomo said.

Masomere resigned from Buffaloes on Monday after his team’s 2-2 draw with Black Rhinos. He left Buffaloes on position eight with 29 points.
How Mine’s NetOne-sponsored OneWallet Sup8r semi-final encounter against Dynamos at Zvishavane’s Mandava Stadium on Sunday will be Masomere’s first official game with the miners.

He has fond memories of the top eight competition having guided Shabanie Mine to last season’s title then bankrolled by BancABC.
On his way to lifting the 2013 edition of the Sup8r Knockout tournament after beating FC Platinum in the final, Shabanie Mine knocked out Dynamos in the last four, a stage that Masomere finds How Mine at.

The “Doctor of Football”, as Masomere prefers to be called, said winning the OneWallet Sup8r Knockout Trophy will be a bonus for him.
“Just like any other coach I aspire to win silverware. It is good that I found the club in the last four but for the record I’m not under pressure to win this cup as my target is competing for everything on offer next season,” he said.

How Mine players have proved to be tricky customers in cup competitions and they will not want to let this trophy pass them without giving a fight having already booted out city rivals Highlanders in the opening round.

The $80,000 prize money that goes with winning the final will certainly be a motivating factor for How Mine players.
Just by reaching the last four stage, How Mine are assured of $30,000 should they be knocked out by Dynamos and if they lose in the final they will bank $50,000.