Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THEY are fifth on the table, eight points behind pacesetters Chicken Inn, but How Mine FC supporters are agitated with their team’s inconsistency. The goldminers assembled what the club leadership termed a “perfect killing machine” at the beginning of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, recruiting a number of veterans.

Last season’s joint top goalscorers Charles Sibanda and Kuda Musharu are still to reproduce their yesteryear form alongside Limited Chikafa. Seasoned goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, former Dynamos midfielders Devon Chafa and Tawanda Muparati and ex-Caps United’s Tapiwa Khumbuyani are some of the experienced players signed by How Mine at the beginning of the year.

Muparati is yet to play a league match due to a pre-season injury although Luke Masomere, the gold miners gaffer said the former Footballer of the Year was on the horizon of his debut league match for How Mine.

In the nine games that they have played — excluding the abandoned Caps United game — How Mine have managed three wins, three defeats and three draws, accumulating 12 points out of a possible 27. Their points tally should rise to 15 points including the three they got on a silver platter after Caps United failed to turn up for the game.

Admitting that the team is playing below expectations, How Mine vice-chairman Alpha Matumbura said the executive “fully supports” Masomere but was quick to say that the team needs to start being serious if they’re to get anything this season.

He noted that the next five games starting with Sunday’s away encounter against high flying Triangle United, followed by home games against ZPC Kariba and Highlanders, Hwange and Buffaloes away will shape their season.

“We’re 100 percent behind the technical team as the executive but we’re giving ourselves unnecessary pressure by losing points especially at home. Our supporters are becoming very agitated and it’s understandable because we thought we had assembled the perfect killing machine by beginning of season. In short, we’re expected to start playing like a serious team and compete with the teams above us if we’re to salvage the season,” said Matumbura.

“The next five outings are games which can make or break our season because there are several teams which are breathing on our neck. We can easily find ourselves on position 10 after two rounds of matches if we continue to drop points and the teams below us pick up wins.”

How Mine are targeting a top-four finish. They have to step-up their performance if they’re to realise that dream, .

“The technical team and the players know what’s expected of them. We’re hoping for an improvement going into mid-season. Psychologically, we’ve to pick up because these losses can do serious damage on players’ confidence and this can affect the team for the rest of the season.”

The miners should brace for a tough trip to the Lowveld where Triangle United have turned Gibbo Stadium into a fortress. All visiting teams to Triangle have been hit by at least three goals.

Hwange, Chapungu, Caps United, Harare City and Whawha have all been humiliated at Gibbo Stadium.

In their last away match, How Mine lost 0-3 to FC Platinum. Masomere needs to summon his charges to give their all if they are to avoid an embarrassment at Triangle.

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

Chicken Inn 10 7 2 1 16 7 9 23

Triangle United 10 6 2 2 25 8 17 20

Dynamos 10 6 2 2 9 5 4 20

Chapungu 10 5 3 2 11 7 4 18

How Mine 10 4 3 3 14 8 6 15

ZPC Kariba 10 3 5 2 18 14 4 14

Harare City 10 3 5 2 10 9 1 14

Highlanders 10 4 2 4 8 7 1 14

FC Platinum 10 4 1 5 17 13 4 14

Caps United 10 3 4 3 6 12 -6 13

Hwange 10 1 7 2 10 12 -2 10

Tsholotsho FC 10 2 3 5 5 9 -4 9

Flame Lily 10 2 3 5 7 14 -7 9

Buffaloes 10 1 6 3 6 13 -7 9

Whawha 10 2 2 6 7 23 -16 8

Dongo Sawmills 10 0 4 6 6 14 -8 4