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Philani “Beefy” Ncube

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
STUNNED by the team’s winless streak, How Mine chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo has urged the boys and the technical team to up their game and start  collecting points, beginning this afternoon against Shabanie Mine at Luveve Stadium.The Philani Ncube-coached gold miners have  struggled in the league despite a decent debut  performance in the Caf Confederation Cup a few weeks ago. They lost their opening match against a battling Dynamos before city neighbours Bantu Rover stunned them 3-1 in their second match and last Saturday they drew 2-2 against Chapungu, a game they could have won had they held on to their 2-1 lead with just under 12 minutes to go.

“We really would want to encourage the boys and technical team to up their game, to start winning beginning tomorrow against Shabanie Mine,” said Nkomo yesterday.

He added that they still had faith in Ncube and are not in panic mode adding that they win and lose as a team.

Said Nkomo;  “Naturally we would have hoped for a better start to the season than this but nevertheless the season is still in its infancy. We have held discussions with the   technical team and we hope tomorrow will be the  turning point.”

Efforts to talk to Ncube from Wednesday were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered.

How Mine were pre-season title favourites because of their fine run in the Caf Confederation Cup.  However, they have fared badly in the league so far.  This could be because of complacency on the part of the players following their return from the African expedition.

Shabanie Mine coach John Phiri sees today’s match as “very difficult.”

“Those guys are yet to taste a win this season and they will naturally come firing from all cylinders, they are a deadly side,” said Phiri who has guided the former asbestos miners to two wins and a defeat.

He however said they prepared well for the match and said morale was high among the boys.

“Our worry though is the loss of two of our key players, Louis Matawu and Tolbart Mthombeni who are out with ankle and groin injuries,” said Phiri.