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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
How Mine 1-1 Whawha FC
PRE-SEASON Premiership soccer club favourites, How Mine, are content with their preparations to land their maiden cup following their 1-1 draw with Whawha FC at How Mine yesterday.

The gold miners who made lots of noise during the off-season by bringing on board a number of experienced players shot into the lead from the penalty spot through ex-Dynamos’ midfielder Devon Chafa before the visitors drew level from a freekick by Kudzaishe Jukulile in the second half.

“Things are coming up perfectly and I’m happy with how the seniors are blending with the juniors. What’s important during the pre-season games is establishing strong inter-relations among the players. They have to understand each other and combine well.

Combinations are what we’re working on and Whawha gave us a good run,” said Luke Masomere, How Mine’s coach.

The goldminers who represented Zimbabwe in last year’s Orange Caf Confederations Cup fielded experienced players that include Thembani “Smaller” Masuku, Chafa, ex-Caps United skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Heritein Masuku and striker Mgcini Sibanda formerly with Highlanders .

They also had seasoned goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya who was beaten all systems out by Jukulile, son to yesteryear star Luke Jukulile-Petros who is Whawha’s coach.

“If you look from where we were three weeks ago you can see that there’s a difference. We lost to Plumtree Chiefs 3-0 in our first pre-season game but last weekend we managed to pick ourselves up losing 3-1 to Dynamos. Lack of concentration cost us but we’re on track and managing a draw with How Mine who are a stronger side shows that we are in the right direction,” said Jukulile-Petros.

He said his side will be done with player recruitment by the end of next week.