HOW Mine will equal Mwana Africa’s record of 2006 if they beat Caps United in the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup on Sunday and go on to win the richest knock-out tournament in the country.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
The gold miners face off with Harare giants at the giant National Sports Stadium on Sunday in a battle for a place in the final in which winners will earn a ticket to play in the Caf Confederation Cup tournament.
The tournament also has rich pickings for all the teams taking part in the tournament with the winners guaranteed a $130 000 cheque. Already, the club is assured of $45 000 of reaching the last four and if they reach they final, they will earn at least $90 000.
How Mine, under the guidance of Philani Ncube have already surpassed expectations by reaching the last four of the tournament and also surviving relegation in their maiden season in the premier soccer league.
Ncube’s men have stunned watchers of the domestic game with their brave show which has seen them defeating the so-called big teams including Highlanders, twice in the league and Dynamos.
How Mine beat Highlanders in back-to-back league clashes this season and as if to prove that those victories were not a fluke — they went on to beat defending champions Dynamos 1-0 before kicking them out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup at Rufaro Stadium.
Now Caps United stand in their way as they fight for a place in the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
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And if the gold miners manage to win the prestigious cup — they will become the second team to win the biggest knock-out tournament in the country after Mwana Africa who lifted it under the guidance of Willard Khumalo.
The Bindura-based side, who had been promoted into the elite league in 2005 captured the imagination of the country with a good display which saw them walking to the winner’s podium with their necks proudly decorated with medals after beating Chapungu United 1-0 in the final of the CBZ Cup at Rufaro with Benjamin Marere deciding that tense contest.
They had beaten Air Zimbabwe Jets 1-0 in the first round with Stix Mutizwa then coach of the airline side.
Interestingly, the Bindura-based club met Dynamos in the second round and booted them out on penalties to advance to the last eight of the tournament in which they overcame a battling Monomotapa 1-0 at Gwanzura Stadium.
They then handed Buymore a 2-1 defeat to storm into the final.
Khumalo’s men were crowned champions after beating Chapungu to the trophy.
The following year, they lifted the Nestle Charity Shield after beating Highlanders 3-0 on aggregate.
Ncube said it will be a great achievement for How Mine if they could achieve such a feat.
“It will be a great achievement as far as How Mine is concerned if we reach the final. We are underdogs and are going to Harare to compete. We have got respect for Caps United, but we remain positive,” Ncube said.
Mwana Africa were powered to glory by such players like Marere, Chipo Tsodzo, Thomas Sweswe, Daniel Kamunenga and Tawanda Mareya.
