Shabanie Mine FC head coach Arnold Jani says his troops are hungry for silverware, but they have to march past Gunners first in the quarter-finals of the BancABC Sup8r Cup on Saturday in Gweru.
The Zvishavane-based team last won a cup more than a decade ago after they dismissed Dynamos 1-0 courtesy of a solitary goal from the late Chinda Boys striker, Thomas Makwasha, in the BP Cup.
Jani yesterday told NewsDay Sport that they were ready to face Gunners at Ascot Stadium.
“We are hungry for success. We last won a cup when we beat Dynamos 1-0 in the BP Cup Final. We are ready for the match and we are going to deliver,” said Jani.
Jani said although they currently lie fourth from the bottom in the league, they will shift focus from their performance in the Castle Lager Premier League to the cup game.
“This is going to be a different game as it is a cup competition,” he said.
Shabanie Mine will be missing the services of veteran Rowan Nenzou who has a groin injury.
Gunners will be under the watchful eye of assistant coach George Madira as the head coach Darlington Dodo is leaving for South Africa today.
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Dodo is the assistant coach of the Young Warriors who face South Africa in the All-Africa Games qualifier in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Gunners will be without inspirational Qadr Amini and Wellington Kamudyariwa who are part of the Young Warriors.
Madira said: “We are now used to playing without Amini who is usually with the Under-23s or the national team,” he said.
George Chigova is likely to be in goals for Gunners and his defence line is likely to include Hardlife Zvirekwi, Ronald and David Sengu. Pardon Chindungwa and Arnold Chaka are also options for Gunners in defence.
Elvis Meleka, Cliff Sekete will fight the midfield battle and they will be expected to supply Ishamel Lawe and More Moyo with clean passes.
The Chinda boys’ hopes will be pinned on Tarisai Rukanda and Michael Mageja for goals.
Rodney Mware, Boniface Dimanji, Smart Muchabaiwa and Jonathan Chitereke will be out to thwart any threats from Gunners while Roy Mazingi is likely to be in goals for Shabanie Mine.
Caleb Masocha, Elasto Bakacheza and Tafadzwa Mombeshora are also in the Shabanie Mine line-up.
