How Mine eye group stages

Sport
HOW Mine are aiming at writing their own piece of history by qualifying for group stages in their maiden year in the Caf Confederation Cup against St Michel

HOW Mine are aiming at writing their own piece of history by qualifying for the group stages in their maiden year in the Caf Confederation Cup, as they venture into the first leg first round of the tournament against St Michel of the Seychelles tomorrow at Barbourfields Stadium.

THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

How Mine chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo said they were treading cautiously although their main aim was to qualify for the group stages.

“We are excited about the events that are unfolding. Although we are treading cautiously we cannot take anything for granted, we have to continue working hard,” said Nkomo.

He said they had to avoid complacency and sharpen where they were lacking so as to move to the next stage of the competition.

“Given our results from the preliminary stage there is need to emphasise that we have to eliminate any form of complacency within the players. We know the coaches have been working on coming up with new combinations and we need to sharpen and work on our mistakes,” said Nkomo.

How Mine beat Zanzibar’s Chuoni FC 6-1 on aggregate after having scored four at home beating the islanders 2-1 on their own turf.

“We encourage the team to carry a healthy lead to the Seychelles if we are to move to the next round. We have to score a lot of goals and avoid conceding at home so that we are not put under pressure,” he said.

If How Mine progress to the second round they will meet the winner between Bayelsa of Nigeria and FC Konzo of Congo.

St Michel beat ASSM Elgeco Plus of Madagascar 2-1 in the return leg of the preliminary round after losing the first leg by the same scoreline and won 7-6 on penalties to book a date with How Mine. They are expected in Bulawayo this morning. Nkomo said they were aware that the team would be travelling by road to Bulawayo.

“We know that they are arriving tonight (last night) and will be travelling by road. They told us of their travel arrangements late and we had advised them to get a direct flight from South Africa to Bulawayo, but they failed to get the flight. We alerted Zifa and they will arrange transport for them to Bulawayo,” he said.

While How Mine take on St Michel, league champions Dynamos will face AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow in the first round first leg of the Caf Champions League.

The return legs will be played next weekend.