SCORING a handful of goals at home is just a masterstroke!
FORTUNE MBELE
This is how How Mine survived a scare in Seychelles on Saturday to progress to the second round of the Caf Confederation Cup after a 6-4 aggregate win.
Having won 5-1 at home last Saturday, they were 3-0 down within 45 minutes, leaving the islanders needing just one goal to sail through.
But the miners had Kudakwashe Musharu to thank for a priceless goal in the 57th minute that took the scoreline to 3-1 and safety.
In the past three games, How Mine coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube has been good on reading the game in the second-half and that solitary goal by Musharu saved the day.
They held on until the end of the match, but they would be the first to admit things will be tougher in the second round where they meet Nigeria’s Bayelsa United who beat FC Konzo of Congo Brazzaville 2-0 at home in the second leg of the first round on Saturday.
The two sides had played a goalless draw in Congo in the first leg on February 28 and the Nigerians are through to the second round on a 2-0 goal aggregate.
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In the preliminary round, it was almost the same feat as How Mine went into the first-half leading 1-0 against Chuoni FC of Zanzibar at BF, only to score three goals in the second-half and make it 4-0.
In Zanzibar, Chuoni managed to hold them to a 1-1 draw for 80 minutes until Musharu scored the winner 10 minutes before the final whistle.
Chuoni had scored first at home in the 10th minute.
Beefy has said in the past that each game has its own strategy, tactics and personnel and maybe it’s time he revisited his notes as he faces the Nigerian side if How Mine’s dream of making it to the group stages are to come true.
Maybe it’s high time Beefy recalled the experienced central defender Herbert Dick, who has said he has decided to give the youngsters a chance to shine in the Confederation Cup.
On their return from the Seychelles, How Mine need to organise a friendly match and correct some of their mistakes, especially in defence.
It will not be easy for How Mine against the Nigerians as the lucrative group stages beckon and they certainly have a job on their hands.
