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DICK HERBERT

Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S representatives in the Caf Confederation Cup How Mine, have been given a relatively easy preliminary round fixture against Chuoni FC from Zanzibar in the draw held in Marrakech, Morocco, yesterday. How Mine are making their maiden appearance on the African Safari after securing the ticket despite losing the Mbada Diamonds Cup final to Highlanders last month.

Chikurupati are still to finalise their squad for the Caf inter-club competition but already veteran defender Herbert Dick is hopeful that they will skip the preliminary round hurdle.

How Mine will be at home during the first leg of the preliminary round between February 7-9 while the return leg will be in Zanzibar between February 14-16, 2014.

Forty-two clubs will be involved in the preliminary round to be joined by ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Ismaily (Egypt), Wadi Degla (Egypt), Djoliba (Mali), MAS (Morocco), Bayelsa United (Nigeria), Warri Wolves (Nigeria), El Ahly Shandy (Sudan), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) Club Athletic Bizertin (Tunisia) and Zesco United (Zambia) in the first round.

“Personally, I do not know much about the team we are playing but from the look of things, it’s okay for us,” said Dick.

“We should be able to go past the preliminary round.”

How Mine won the right to play in the Caf Confederation Cup because Highlanders are serving a suspension from Caf for withdrawing from the tournament in 2011 after the draw had been conducted.

Zifa blundered to register Bosso with Caf yet the Bulawayo giants had not made a commitment to play in the inter-club competition and were slapped with a three-year suspension.

In their debut season in the Premiership, How Mine finished seventh and during the course of their campaign, they managed to post victories over giants Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United.

If they manage to get past Chuoni, How Mine will meet the winner from the other preliminary round clash between St Michell of Seychelles or ASSM Elgeco Plus of Madagascar.

Dick is also hopeful that they will reach that stage and believes real competition will be in the second round.

“If we prepare well and remain focused, we should go all the way. Three quarters of the players in our squad have experience of playing international football.

“I know this club Baylesa United from Nigeria, they are good, but we should not be scared,” said Dick.

How Mine chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo, said their coach Philani Ncube has indicated he would like to resume preparations for the Caf Confederations Cup after the New Year holiday.

“The coach said he wanted to give the players a break and should resume training in January next year,” said Nkomo. But while How Mine are on a break, their opponents Chuoni are set to play in the Mapinduzi Cup slated for January 1-13 in Zanzibar.

The other teams taking part in the competition include FC Combine (Zanzibar), Young Africans (Tanzania), Tusker FC (Kenya), URA (Uganda), Chuoni FC (Zanzibar), Mbeya City (Tanzania) and defending champions Azam FC (Tanzania).