HOW Mine have been forced to make last minute changes to their squad for the 2014 Orange Caf Confederations Cup following the withdrawal of new recruits Nicholas Alifandika and Courage Denias.
Thandiwe Moyo Own Correspondent
Head-coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube confirmed the withdrawals and said they were negotiating with two players to replace them.
Speculation is rife that How Mine are trying to lure Botswana club Ecco City’s Mandla Sibanda and Highlanders’ Heritein Masuku as replacements.
“We lost Alifandika because his team would not release him and Courage said he got a better offer and could not join us,” Ncube said.
“We are going to replace the two and we are negotiating with some players. At the moment I cannot reveal them.”
How Mine have up to Wednesday to register the players and they would have to play a $1 000 fine.
“We still have to make the decision on who will be joining us, but we would have made it before the deadline,” he said.
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“About Heritein, we just had a social meeting today (yesterday).
“He is still with Highlanders, but if possible I would love to have him as part of our team. He still has to decide on his next move.”
Sources said Highlanders were still to make a decision on Masuku because some players were yet to renew their contracts.
How Mine could lose defender Hebert Dick, believed to be negotiating a deal with Southern Region Division One side Bantu Rovers.
“It is a rumour. I am still to meet with Dick to find out what is going on,” he said.
“He is the only one who can make a decision at this point on whether he will remain with us or leave.”
How Mine signed on 12 players in an effort to boost their chances in the Confederations Cup.
Ncube said they had started preparations on a slow note as most players did not turn up on the first week.
He said most of the players were available. New recruits Wonder Sithole, George Magariro and Timothy January who was at How Mine last season, are yet to start training.
“All our players have returned and we are expecting the last three to join us on Monday,” Ncube said.
“We still have a problem with the strikeforce and we are working on bolstering it.”
The coach said their aim was to reach the group stages of the competition.
“I feel honoured that I am taking the team to Africa. But my greatest honour would be if we reach the group stages of the competition,” he said.
“We would have to make use of the time that we have to prepare for the competition,” he said.
How Mine qualified to represent the country at the Caf Confederations Cup after finishing as runners-up in the Mbada Diamonds Cup losing to Highlanders.
