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Paul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
SHABANIE coach Jairos Tapera will be without his veteran defence pillar Zvenyika Makonese when he takes on How Mine at Maglas in a Castle Lager Premiership tie this afternoon.

Makonese, who has hinted that he wants to play until he is 40, has been one of the success stories at Shabanie in the second half of the season.

“It’s very sad that I will miss my captain Makonese (Zvenyika) as he is absent from work and nobody knows where he is,” Tapera told The Herald.

The Shabanie coach will also pit his wits against his uncle, Luke Masomere, in this big battle.

The two coaches are related and have always changed notes in their careers but they have a huge assignment today as they try to steer their clubs away from relegation.

Both teams are in relegation trouble with Shabanie sitting fifth-from-the-bottom on 33 points, while How Mine are just one place above them on 34 points.

Relegated Chiredzi host Black Rhinos at Chishamiso in another relegation battle.

Tapera guided his team to an impressive 4-1 win over Bantu Rovers in their last match and wants his men to win another big tie.

“I am going to fight with my uncle tomorrow (today). We are prepared for the match and we need maximum points,” said Tapera. Shabanie will also be without defence pillar Douglas Sibanda, who is suspended after receiving three yellow cards.

But Marvelous Dikinya, Wellington Kamudyariwa, Smart Muchabayiwa and Godknows Murwira are available for selection.

Shabanie have won their last two matches in which they have been helped by the good form of forwards Xolani Ncube, Allan Tavarwisa and Michael Mageja.

Masomere will be returning to familiar territory to plot the downfall of his former paymasters and will be without the suspended Kuda Musharu, his top scorer. Former Shabanie players James Chitereki and Caleb Masocha will be returning to Maglas to play against their old team.

How Mine failed to collect maximum points in their last outing after they were held to a goalless home draw by relegated Chiredzi with the Lowveld coach Gishon Ntini even boasting that they should have won that match with a rugby scoreline.