Mighty Bulls step up preps for African Safari

The Mighty Bulls get their campaign underway with a date against little-known Cnaps of Madagascar in a preliminary round first leg tie at Rufaro Stadium during the weekend of January 28-30. Motor Action signed eight players to beef up their squad for the African Safari. Former Lengthens tough- tackling defender Godfrey Moyo, Shooting Stars midfielder Thembani Masuku, strikers Edmore Chitato (Kiglon) and Tawanda Nyamandwe (Monomotapa) and former Monomotapa left back Ocean Mushure have been snapped up by the league champions and were part of the squad that participated in this week’s training at Callies Stadium. Striker Kudakwashe Musharu, also formerly with Monomotapa and Kiglon striker Martin Vengesai are also in camp with the team.

However, Charles Sibanda, who was the leading light during the Mighty Bulls league campaign which they won at the expense of Dynamos last year and skipper Bhekimpilo Ncube were not part of the team amid reports that they are owed various outstanding amounts by the club. But assistant coach David George is satisfied with the way preparations are going on.

Its a balanced side. We have a mixture of youth and experience because most of the players, especially those who were with Monomotapa, have tasted Champions League football and their experience will be very important for us in this campaign. Most of these players dont know how it is to play at this level of the game.

We have no knowledge of the Madagascar team. We dont know each other so I think its a 50-50 affair. We are now only waiting for the arrival of Ncube and Sibanda from Bulawayo. They should be coming in this week,” he said. Dynamos, the other team representing the country in the African Champions League got a bye in the first round and will only resume their campaign at the end of the preliminary round stage of the competition.

Meanwhile DeMbare are set to fork out more than US$5 000-00 as fine to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the late registration of players for their 2011 African Champions League squad. According to CAF rules and regulations, each player who is registered after the deadline for the registeration of players attracts a fine of US$500.

Dynamos had registered a total of 23 players for the African Safari by the last day of registration (Friday last week) and now want to increase the list to at least 30. Dynamos secretary Oliver Manyau said: “We are aware of the fines to be paid for the late registration of each player. We were given 15 January as the deadline for the later registration of the players and I am confident we will beat that deadline. We are still talking to the players we want to sign,” said Manyau.