The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
RELEGATION threatened How Mine make the long trip to Harare today to face a Caps United side that has discovered the formula of collecting maximum points in most of their home games this season.The two sides square off at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon, with the home side chasing the title while the visitors seek points to remain in top flight soccer.
The Bulawayo side is sitting in a precarious 12th position on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log, where they are perched on 12th position one place above the relegation zone and nothing but a win will ease their worries of going back to the unfashionable Division One league.
How Mine gaffer, Luke Masomere said they had prepared well for the game and were ready to face Caps and come out with a positive result despite the absence of their two captains, Gilbert Banda and Mernard Mupera due to injury.
“I am happy with the way the guys have been preparing during training, I think they are psyched up for the game and ready for whatever comes their way. Yes, Banda and Mupera feature regularly for the team but I do not think we will be much weakened in their absence as we have prepared well,’’ said Masomere.
Midfielder, Godfrey Nguwodzawo and George Magariro are also out but Timothy January will make a return and could torment the Caps United defence with his quick darting runs on the wings. Nyasha Mukumbi could also find himself in the thick of things in defence after recovering from injury along with goalkeeper, Donovan Bernard.
Caps United have their own defence woes as Stephen Makatuka is unavailable after he was red-carded in their last league match against Bantu Rovers while David Chipala is still battling an injury.
Caps centre back George Nyirenda will have to pick up his confidence and marshal the defence after placing the ball twice behind his goalkeepers in two consecutive matches against FC Platinum.
The Doctor of Football, as Masomere calls himself, said if they were lucky like FC Platinum they would also be gifted with a goal by Nyirenda, who scored two own goals in successive matches against the platinum miners.
Caps United are four points off log leaders, Dynamos and would be eager to close the gap with a win as they search for the championship title that has eluded them for the past nine years, having last won it in 2005.
Masomere paid respect to Caps coach; Taurai Mangwiro saying he is was tricky coach and would prepare his charges well for the game.
Caps will look up to Hardlife Zvirekwi, Nicholas Alifundika, Ronald Pfumbidzayi, Dominic Chungwa, Dominic Mukandi and Kevin Sibanda to win the game for them while How Mine will pin their hopes on striker, Kuda Musharu, Thembani Masuku, Wonder Sithole, January, Edmore Muzanenhamo and Morris Kadzola to give them a lift with three points.
Despite sitting precariously on the log, Masomere said How Mine would be playing top flight football next season.
“I think we operate using different philosophies and we see things differently but from where I stand, I do not see us going down. While some may feel that way, I am confident that we are preparing for life in the top flight next season. I am glad I have got 100 percent support from my bosses in what I am doing and my players giving their all and are getting onto the pitch with the right attitude,” he said.
Vahombe, as Masomere is popularly known, said he is confident the team will not face the axe come the end of the season and is only working on building for next season.
Fixtures
Today: Caps United v How Mine (Rufaro), Buffaloes FC v Triangle United (Sakubva) Hwange FC v Chapungu (Colliery)
