St Michel arrive today

Sport
ST MICHEL of Seychelles, who are scheduled to play How Mine in a Caf Confederation Cup first round, first leg match on Saturday, are set to arrive in the country tonight in Harare and connect to Bulawayo by road.

ST MICHEL of Seychelles, who are scheduled to play How Mine in a Caf Confederation Cup first round, first leg match at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday, are set to arrive in the country tonight in Harare and connect to Bulawayo by road.

THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) is clear on road travels — that any distance over 200km, it should by air, but after failing to get a connecting flight to Bulawayo, they will have to cover the 439km stretch by road, although this could attract sanctions if the continental body is not satisfied with the explanation.

Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the team failed to secure a connecting flight from Harare to Bulawayo.

“They are aware that they will be travelling to Bulawayo by road. The team will arrive in Harare at 9:20pm tomorrow (today) aboard the South African Airways flight. As soon as they arrive they will get into the bus and travel overnight. They are aware of the situation,” he said.

How Mine coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube yesterday said they had stepped up preparations for the match.

“We are prepared for the encounter. All the players are ready and we still have two days to wrap up our preparations.

“What I know about St Michel is that they have seven players in the national team.

“We treat each game with a different approach and we could use some of the players that did not play in the last encounter. Our aim is to attack and get goals,” he said.

How Mine welcome into the squad Gilbert Banda who did not feature in the preliminary round encounter against Chuoni of Zanzibar.

Banda did not have a passport and had to be sidelined while he sorted out his travel documents. With the return of centre-back Banda, Ncube would have the option of using Hebert Dick, Nyasha Mukumbi or George Magariro in the central defence with Terrence Moja and Morris Kadzola on the left and right wings.

Other players in the team include Kuda Musharu who scored a brace in Bulawayo against Chouni, Warren Dube who also scored, Menard Mupera who captained the team and scored a penalty, Emmanuel Mandiranga and Edmore Muzanenhamo.