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Zvenyika Makonese

Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
UNATTACHED former Warriors, Orlando Pirates, Santos and Shabanie Mine defender Zvenyika Makonese is among a host of players that are attending How Mine FC training sessions in search of jobs.The 36-year-old steely defender, trained with relegated Beitbridge side Tripple B between October and December last year preparing for a Premiership comeback.

How Mine, home to a number of aging players are Zimbabwe’s representatives in the Caf Orange Confederation Cup competition and open their account with a home fixture to Chuoni FC of Zanzibar on the weekend of February 7-9.

During their Thursday evening training at Luveve Stadium which had 38 players including trialist Makonese who partnered another old horse Herbert Dick who is doubling up as the team’s manager.

Also trying his luck at the Philani “Beefy” Ncube coached How Mine was Highlanders’ Heritein Masuku who found little action under Kelvin Kaindu at the Bulawayo giants last season and was among the players who were not in the coach’s wish list at Bosso.

Masuku and exciting attacking midfielder Fungai Chirinda who won the BancABC Sup8r Cup with Shabanie Mine last season were impressive during the two hour session.

Regarded as excess baggage at Bosso during last year’s mid-season transfer-window despite having scored five goals by July, Graham Ncube is also hoping to make the cut at How Mine and so is Thabani Moyo who ended his season at Black Boots.

Winger Benjamin Marere who was snubbed by Premiership champions Dynamos was among the trialists alongside former Chicken Inn defender who fell out of favour with DeMbare last season Morris Kadzola.

Thulani “Titsha” Ncube formerly with Hwange, Wonder Sithole (Bufffaloes) and Marvel Samaneka are some of the experienced players hoping to impress Beefy.

“As you can see, there are a lot of players that are attending trials and it’s good to see such commitment from these players. Right now we are doing ball work and physical conditioning. I want players that are fit and that’s why we are having lots of these physical drills.

“I think from the players here we are going to add maybe three or four because we have 25 players registered for our Caf competition and our focus is more on our strikeforce,” said the How Mine gaffer.

Sithole, Kadzola and Samaneka are part of the 10 players that How Mine brought to strengthen their team for African Safari.
The ambitious gold miners have signed former Dynamos defender George Magariro, Kudakwashe Musharu, Harare City’s Tendai Ngulube, young Aces Academy goalkeeper Donovan Benard, Caps United’s Marvel Samaneka, Gunners’ James Chitereki, and Edmore Muzanenhamo from Zifa Southern Region Division One side Ntabazinduna Prison.

Musharu is yet to attend training.
“Musharu lost his grandmother so we expect him on Monday. The programme is progressing well and what we need is to have at least one or two friendly matches with competitive sides to check on the level of preparedness,” said Ncube.

The Mine retained goalkeepers Ephraim Mazarura and Nonjabulo Dube, rightback Brighton Dube, Terrence Majo, Dick, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda and Nelson Tachi.

Also staying is midfielder Menard Mupera, who has reportedly been said to be considering retiring, Xolisani Moyo, Warren Dube, Timothy January, Thembani “Smaller” Masuku, Donald Chiringa, Eddie Nkulungo, Simba Sithole and Qinani “Chroma” Sibanda.

How Mine Caf Orange Confederation Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Ephraim Mazarura, Nonjabulo Dube, Donovan Bernard
Defenders: Brighton Dube, Morris Kadzola, Terrence Majo, James Chitereki, Herbert Dick, George Magariro, Nyasha Mukumbi, Gilbert Banda, Nelson Tachi
Midfielders: Tendai Ngulube, Menard Mupera, Xolisani Moyo, Warren Dube, Marvel Samaneka, Timothy January, Wonder Sithole, Thembani Masuku, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Eddie Nkulungo
Strikers: Simba Sithole, Qinani Sibanda, Kudakwashe Musharu.