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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
TRADITIONAL giants Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United might be at the crest of the Castle Lager Premiership table going into the last week of the first half of the season, but it is debutantes ZPC Kariba who have impressed.
Despite playing their home matches away from Kariba, the power generators have managed to collect points and stay within championship reach, maintaining a 14-games unbeaten run.

Already, the bubble has burst for the top three clubs with Bosso losing once, DeMbare and Caps United four times apiece.

ZPC Kariba, fourth on the table with 24 points, trail pacesetters Highlanders by three points and can topple Dynamos and Caps United who are second and third respectively if they collect maximum points against Chicken Inn this afternoon in Harare.

What makes ZPC Kariba’s championship challenge less demanding is that they are just in their maiden top-flight season and also that unlike Bosso, Dynamos and Caps United they do not have fans pressurising them for positive results.

However, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas believes that they have what it takes to hand their opponents their first loss of the season.

“There is always a first time for everything and as the Gamecocks we have shown that we are capable of being the first to do the unthinkable. Remember Hwange were unbeaten at home and we handed them their first loss at the Colliery last month. For that reason, I have confidence in my players that they can take maximum points in Harare if they maintain their composure.

“ZPC Kariba are a formidable side who have shown what they are capable of and we are also a tough outfit with players hungry for glory. The other thing propelling us as we go into this game is the fact that we have to pick ourselves up and recover from our last defeat,” Antipas said.

Chicken Inn go into the game smarting from a 1-2 defeat to Caps United while their opponents beat Hwange at the Colliery Stadium by an identical scoreline.

The Gamecocks have to fry the Kariba outfit without skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri who picked an injury in his team’s defeat against Caps United. Brian Juru, who has been a consistent performer for Antipas in the last month when Phiri was club-hunting in South Africa, makes a return after missing the Green Machine encounter due to suspension.

Some of the players that Chicken Inn will be hoping to use are youngsters Lawrence “Dazzy” Mhlanga, Divine Lunga and George Majika. Veteran Clemence Matawu, Tendai Mukambi, Moses Jackson, Passmore Bernard and Canaan Nkomo are some of Chicken Inn’s trump cards.

Players to watch from ZPC Kariba are Pride Tafirenyika, defence stalwart Peter Muzondo and attacking midfielder Norest Mukwezaramba.

Just like last week, ZPC Kariba are likely to be without head coach Saul Chaminuka who is attending a high level Caf A Licence coaching clinic in Harare so will, instead, be led by Godfrey Tamirepi and Tembo Chuma.

Fixtures
Today: ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Gwanzura, 3PM SuperSport9)

Tomorrow: Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport9), FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine (Mandava)

Sunday: Caps United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SuperSport9), Black Rhinos v How Mine (Rimuka), Buffaloes v Chiredzi (Sakubva), Triangle United v Chapungu (Gibbo), Highlanders v Bantu Rovers (Barbourfields)