Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
How Mine (Zimbabwe)................… (1) 5
Saint Michel United (Seychelles) ...1) 1
AN inspired second half performance by How Mine saw the Zimbabwe club take a commanding lead over Saint Michel of Seychelles in an Orange Confederation of African Football Confederations Cup first round, first leg meet staged at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday. Former Monomotapa United captain Kudakwashe Musharu, maintained his fine goal scoring run when he found the net twice for his second brace in the competition, to take his tally in the continental club football tournament to five goals. The other goals for How Mine came from Thembani Masuku, substitute Morris Kadzola and a penalty conversion from Menard Mupera as the gold miners found the target four times in the second period after being frustrated by the visitors who kept them at bay in the first half. The tourists had their comforting goal from a first half spot-kick, taken by Jocelyn Fenosoa. How Mine now carry a strong lead going into the second leg to be played in Seychelles on Saturday.
It was the home side who had the first chance to open the scoring two minutes into the match when Masuku drew out a save from veteran goalkeeper Nelson Sopha following a fine move involving Musharu and Emmanuel Mandiranga. Soon after that, Ephraim Mazarura, the How Mine goalkeeper was called into action to shut out a goal attempt from Fenosoa.
St Michel almost caught How Mine napping in the sixth minute, Fenosoa rounding off returning skipper Gilbert Banda only for his shot to be saved by Mazarura. How Mine came attacking with 11 minutes gone, first James Chitereki’s cross into the box found no takers, Masuku’s magnificent pass into the box was found wanting. Chikurupati went ahead with 20 minutes played when Edmore Muzanhenhamo found Musharu in the box who managed to deflect the ball into the back of the nets. How Mine coach Philani Ncube was a delighted man after yet another superb show from his team who have scored 11 goals in the three matches they have played in the competition. He was, however, cautious and not getting carried away as he believes that St Michel could also score a lot of goals in the return leg. Ralph Jean-Louis, the St Michel mentor said it was going to be difficult to turn the tables on How Mine in their own backyard. Teams
How Mine: Ephraim Mazarura, Gilbert Banda, Brighton Dube, Terrence Majo (Morris Kadzola 52 mins), Nyasha Mukumbi, Menard Mupera, Edmore Muzanhenhamo, Thembani Masuku, Emmanuel Mandiranga (Wonder Sithole 70 mins), Kudakwashe Musharu, James Chitereki (Timothy January 52 mins).
Saint Michel: Nelson Sopha, Allen Lame, Jimmy Radafison, Emmanuel Olupot, Alex Nibourette, Joel Barbe, Gervais Way-Hine (Leroy Lorallie 56 mins), Jocelyn Fenosoa (Nigel Moaream 89 mins), Hassan Ali, Nelson Lawrence, Yannick Manoo (Trevor Vidot 89 mins).
Match Officials
Referee: Joshua Bondo (Botswana) First Assistant referee: Oamogetse Godisamang, Second assistant referee: Meshack Medupi, Fourth official: Ompile Phuthego (All from Botswana)
Match Commissioner: Timothy Shongwe (Swaziland)
Estimated crowd: 450 .