PREMIER Soccer League newcomers How Mine, eager to make waves and remain in top-flight football, have signed nine Premiership players as they brace for their maiden 2013 season. REPORT BY FORTUNE MBELE
New coach Philani Mabhena yesterday said he had not yet finalised his list for the season but the gold miners had signed nine players and retained eight from the team that took them into the the Premiership.
Mabhena said all the players had inked two-year performance-based contracts, subject to review by the end of 2013.
Globe-trotting midfielder Menard Mupera, who has played for Black Rhinos, Caps United, Highlanders and FC Platinum, has set his feet at How Mine together with former Bosso skipper and FC Platinum defender Gilbert Banda.
Also at How Mine is veteran hard-tackling defender Hebert Dick, whose contract with Chicken Inn ended on December 31 last year.
Ntokozo Tshuma, who was at Chicken Inn last year and looked set to returning to Zvishavane-based FC Platinum, has also a penned a deal with How Mine. Simon Njeleza has also left Chicken Inn for the gold rush together with defender Brighton Dube.
Mabhena has also grabbed the trio of relegated Quelaton midfielders Eddy Nkulungo, Timothy January and Gracious Mleya to make the group of nine Premiership players for the gold miners.
Also signed are Lloyd Ngara from FC Platinum’s developmental side and Terrence Moyo from Masvingo’s Circle United.
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Of the eight players that have been retained from last year’s team are trusted goalkeeper Nonjabulo Dube, who capped a fine season last year and scooped the Player of the Year and Most Consistent Player of the Year awards for the Southern Region Division One champions.
From the juniors, Mabhena has also included goalkeeper Shepherd Chaka.
“I don’t have much to say, but we will start talking football when the games have started. We have signed 11 players so far and retained eight from last year’s team and I am still searching for two goalkeepers,” the former Highlanders gaffer said.
Mabhena will be assisted by the two coaches who took How Mine into the Premiership, Sheunesu Chaka and Jeremiah Makote.
