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Ricky Zililo  Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine FC have given up on securing the services of reigning Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda with coach Luke Masomere saying he will now use the material at his disposal.The gold miners who have suddenly become the country’s moneybags attracting big names during the off-season, have brought on board nine players.

Their recruitment drive has seen them signing up 2013 Soccer Star of the Year Tawanda Muparati from Dynamos, striker Charles Sibanda and goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya from Highlanders, Caps United captain Tawanda Khumbuyani, ex-Dynamos defensive midfielder Devon Chafa and they recalled Benjamin Marere from FC Platinum.

They have also added Limited Chikafa from ZPC Kariba, Nafitara Ndale (Masvingo United) and Buffaloes’ Moses Gutu.

Dauda was expected to be their last signing but what became the stumbling block for his move to How Mine was failure to get clearance from his club ZPC Kariba.

“We’re done with signing of players. We won’t be getting any to the number that we have now and we’ll be monitoring the team’s performance and maybe it might be during the mid-season break where we may decide to beef up the squad,” said Masomere.

“About the defenders that we wanted, the deals never materialised and hence the need to use the players that we have.”

The gold miners had also shown keen interest on Bantu Rovers and Young Warriors’ centre back Teenage Hadebe who is also a Highlanders target.

Hadebe is in South Africa on an exchange programme where he is training with Supersport United alongside his Bantu Rovers teammate Raphael Kutinyu.

With Dauda and Hadebe out of Masomere’s first half of the season plans, the miners’ rear will be guarded by seasoned defenders Gilbert Banda, Nyasha Mukumbi, Kumbuyani, Nelson Tachi, Morris Kadzola and James Chitereki.

Already touted as pre-season title favourites, How Mine will tomorrow parade their signings to their fans when they take on Black Boots at the mine compound. “For the record we’re not favourites but we’re just building a squad that will compete effectively and improve on our last season’s standings.

“We’re just bracing up for a tough season which I believe will be exciting. On Saturday we play Black Boots at the mine which is an opportunity to work on our combinations, seeing how old and new guys blend,” Masomere said.

Players retained from last season include midfield workhorse Menard Mupera, joint 2014 golden boot award winner Kudakwashe Musharu, Banda, Wonder Sithole, Timothy January, Thembani Masuku, Young Warriors goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, Fungai Chirinda and Louis Matawu who are recovering from injuries and Nonjabulo Notice Dube.

How Mine parted ways with Edmore Muzanenhamo who is at Highlanders, Caleb Masocha, Mandlenkosi Sibanda, Warren Dube, George Magariro and goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura.

Xolisani Moyo has also been granted permission to join Highlanders on terms yet to be disclosed.