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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, Chicken Inn intend to cap their dream season by lifting the Easycall Cup. Chicken Inn will go into the hat for the top eight Easycall Cup semi-finals draw against traditional giants Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United in Harare today. The semi-finals of the top eight tournament will be played on December 5, with the final a week later.

The Gamecocks won the PSL title with a game to spare on Saturday after beating Harare City 3-1 at Luveve Stadium to reach an unassailable 58 points. FC Platinum and Dynamos, who are second and third, can only end the season on 57 points. A jubilant Chicken Inn captain Danny “Deco” Phiri said with pressure off their backs, they can now focus on getting a league and cup double.

“Lifting the championship is a big achievement and I feel honoured to be part of Chicken Inn’s success story. It’s really been a tough season and I commend my fellow teammates for playing their hearts out as we fought for the title,” said Phiri.

“Now that the pressure associated with chasing the PSL championship is over, our energy and focus shifts to the Easycall Cup. It’ll be special for us if we can win the cup. I think winning the Easycall Cup will be icing on the cake for the Chicken Inn family,” said Phiri.

The Warriors’ skipper said their last five matches against How Mine, FC Platinum, Whawha, Tsholotsho and Harare City were difficult encounters and he believes the team they will face in the semi-finals of the Easycall Cup will be under pressure.

Chicken Inn amassed nine points out of a possible 15 in their last five matches, playing three draws against FC Platinum, Whawha and Tsholotsho. They registered two wins against How Mine and Harare City.

“Unlike the last five league matches where we had to rely on other teams to do the job for us on our way to winning the PSL title, that pressure is gone and we go into the Easycall Cup the most relaxed side. The other three teams are good but pressure will be on them. They’re hard-pressed to win this tournament to make up for missing the league title which will give us the edge on them,” said Phiri.

The Easycall Cup winners will take home $80,000 with losing finalists guaranteed $50,000. Teams that will be knocked out in the semi-finals will each walk away with $30,000.

Chicken Inn booked a place in the last four of the tournament at the expense of ZPC Kariba whom they beat 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw at Nyamhunga Stadium while Caps United thumped Hwange 3-1 at the National Sports Stadium. Last year’s losing finalists Dynamos, who are seeking to avoid a trophyless season, overcame How Mine 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium to reach the Easycall last four.

Bulawayo giants Highlanders, who have had an indifferent season, stunned FC Platinum 1-0 at Mandava Stadium courtesy of a late strike by striker Knox Mtizwa.