BULAWAYO - Zimbabwe's representatives in THE 2014 edition of the African Confederation Cup, How Mine, will be out for a comprehensive first leg win against Zanzibar’s Chuoni FC when the two sides meet in the preliminary round at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.
Chikurupati head coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube told the Daily News yesterday that his team would attack from the onset as they seek to attain victory by a big margin.
“We have to win at all costs and so we will go on the offensive from the word go,” Ncube said.
“Our target is to score as many goals as we can so that we take a healthy lead into the second leg and cushion ourselves against a possible comeback in the return leg.”
The same sentiment was echoed by Chikurupati chairperson Mlondolozi Nkomo, who sounded very optimistic of his team’s chances in their maiden voyage into the jungles of African football.
“Our preparations have gone on very well and we are looking forward to taking a good margin into the second leg of the match,” Nkomo said.
“We are encouraging football fans to come in their numbers and to support us and we promise to put up a good show.”
Nkomo also paid tribute to a number of football stakeholders that he said have been giving them invaluable advice.
“We have been consulting and have gotten a lot of assistance from various stakeholders for which we are very grateful and right now are putting the finals touches to our preparations,” Nkomo added.
How Mine will bank on the experience of players like Herbert Dick, Gilbert Banda, Mernard Mupera and Wonder Sithole who have participated in continental football competition in the past.
Sithole in particular has been looking very sharp at training and indications are that he may be used in a more attacking position to complement centre striker Kuda Musharu.
Musharu is the only out and out striker available for selection after How Mine lost Simba Sithole to Ajax Cape Town following the striker’s impressive performance at the just ended Orange Chan tournament.
Chuoni FC is expected to arrive in the country today.
Not much is known about the Zanzibaris but information gathered by How Mine is that they have some very tall players in their squad.
How Mine are therefore likely to employ a short passing game as playing the ball in the air would be to their disadvantage.