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Menard Mupera

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Orange Caf Confederation Cup representatives How Mine FC are fretting over the availability of two key players Kuda Musharu and Menard Mupera who picked knocks during their Wednesday evening training session. How Mine take on Bayelsa United of Nigeria in the first leg of the second round at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow with Musharu and Mupera subject to a late fitness test.
The Nigerians arrived in Harare yesterday morning and were scheduled to proceed to Bulawayo last night.

In an interview yesterday, How Mine coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube, said doctors were monitoring the duo who have been instrumental in their campaign with Musharu scoring six goals in four matches while Mupera has found the back of the net twice.

He said they would not risk the two players for Saturday’s game and challenged his other players to prove their worth tomorrow.
Already ruled out of the game against Bayelsa United are Warren Dube (knee injury) and dribbling wizard Timothy January who is nursing an ankle injury.

“We have had an unexpected disturbance as some of the guys who have been key in our campaign are nursing injuries. The doctors are still monitoring the players. Musharu seems to have broken a toe while Mupera pulled a muscle. We are hoping that it is not all that bad because we need them at this stage and if they fail to recover, we will rest them and see their progress on Monday before leaving for the reverse tie,” said Ncube.

It is Musharu’s injury that might be giving Ncube sleepless nights as he is the only outright striker who they registered for the competition.
If Musharu fails to recover on time, Ncube might be forced to deploy either Marvel Samaneka or Wonder Sithole upfront.

He is spoilt for choice in midfield where Mupera has been a vital cog. The Soccer Star of the Year finalist has been the driving force for the goldminers, engineering most of their moves as well as thwarting opponents’ attacking forays.

Some of the players that can be used to destroy Bayelsa United from midfield in the absence of Mupera include Xolisani “Scara” Moyo, Edmore “Digo” Muzanenhamo, Thembani Masuku and Blessing Sande.

Veteran goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura is likely to start ahead of Young Warriors’ Number one Donovan Bernard with the experienced quartet of skipper Gilbert Banda, George Magariro, Nyasha Mukumbi and Hebert Dick fighting for two central defence positions.

Brighton Dube and Morris Kadzola are competing for a starting place on the right side of defence with Nelson Tachi almost guaranteed of the leftback role.

The ambitious goldminers are hoping to go all the way to the final and become the first team from Southern Africa in 11 years to win the Orange Caf Confederation Cup.

How Mine are among four clubs from the region still in contention for continental glory. Other Southern Region teams in the competition are South Africans SuperSport United, Zambians Zesco United and Angolans Petro Atletico. They face Etile Sahel of Tunisia, Ghanaians Medeama and Egyptians Ismaily respectively.

Meanwhile, Bayelsa United captain Salomon Junior has declared war on How Mine, telling MTNfootball that the Nigerian outfit was out to end How Mine’s Caf Confederation Cup bid.

“It is going to be a good game for us, though we know nothing about our opponents, but football is the same everywhere, we just want to go on to the pitch, do our job and get a good result. We are gunning for victory,” said Junior.

Bayelsa United goalkeeper Gambo Gideon, who was substituted against Gombe United in a Nigeria league match on Sunday due to injury, has recovered and has been listed for the trip to Zimbabwe, while second-choice Kazeem Yekeen is a major doubt as he suffered a hamstring injury against Gombe.

Gideon suffered dizziness and could not continue the game before Yekeen replaced him and suffered a hamstring injury.
Gideon said he would be fit for the game on Saturday.

“I was dizzy during the game, so I couldn’t continue the game. I suffered a similar experience during the second leg of our Caf Confederation Cup game against Konzo, but I managed to finish the game. I have started taking my medication and I am sure I will make the trip,” said Gambo.