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Bulawayo Bureau
HOW Mine assistant coach Simba Rusike believes winning the Mbada Diamonds Cup final on Saturday would mark a brilliant debut season for his club. Rusike said the players have given a fair account of themselves and their achievement surpassed their expectations. He said usually when a team is promoted into the Premiership, fighting relegation tended to be the core business but their players had played well to earn respect in Zimbabwe football.

How Mine this season felled Highlanders twice, Dynamos as many times and CAPS United once.

“The players deserve all what has come their way so far. I am happy for them that they did not come into the league to fill the numbers, they came on board to compete for honours and winning the Mbada Diamonds Cup would be a fitting tribute to all their work during the course of the year,” said the former AmaZulu, Highlanders and Gaborone United striker.

“Yes, obviously there is the underdog tag on our necks, we hope we get it right on the day and slay Goliath.”

He said he was eager to win a piece of silverware as he had gone for almost two decades without winning something in the game.

“As a junior graduating into the first team in 1991, Highlanders were involved in the Independence Cup and Zifa Cup finals, I never got to play but it was good to be part of the squad.

“By the time they won the league championship in 1993 and the BP League Cup in 1994, I was already in Botswana playing for Gaborone United,” said Rusike who won the league title and the Barclays Cup in that country.

He played in the African Champions League.

“As a coach you are judged by the silverware you win and I am as hungry as the boys walk up the podium with my colleagues on the technical team.

“I am happy to work with an experienced coach like Philani Ncube, supportive colleagues Themba Sibanda and Isheunesu Chaka, management has been supportive and the supporters awesome,” said Rusike.

He predicted a difficult derby in the final.

“I would like to thank the Lord, I am moving in the right path, the Lord is always there for me and Pastor Kandore and my mother MaNkosi for all the support,” said the born-again Christian.