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Joey Antipas

Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter—
FOOTBALL lovers in Bulawayo are in for a treat when the city’s ceremonial home of soccer Barbourfields Stadium plays host to two Premiership giants today and tomorrow. Chicken Inn welcome defending champions Dynamos to Emagumeni this afternoon with Highlanders hoping to shrug off their last weekend loss to DeMbare when they entertain Black Rhinos tomorrow.

Both matches should be a thriller with the blue and white DeMbare fans having their chance to paint the City of Kings blue today while ardent Bosso followers will takeover tomorrow.

Chicken Inn is guaranteed a sizeable number of Highlanders supporters that will rally behind them this afternoon and the Gamecocks gaffer Joey Antipas acknowledges their neighbours’ support but says should they win, they are not doing it for Highlanders but for themselves.

Antipas said they are targeting Dynamos’ scalp after the two teams drew 2-2 at the same venue last season.
Dynamos are yet to pick maximum points against Chicken Inn in Bulawayo.

“Against Dynamos you cannot afford to lose concentration because any lapse can cost you points. I have been talking to the boys telling them that they have to be calm, avoid giving away possession in dangerous areas and we have to restrict them top playing away from our goal area.

“The boys are psyched up and what gives them confidence is that they have never lost against Dynamos here in Bulawayo.The boys are infact looking forward to recording their second victory over the giants. I think everyone is upbeat and it’s only a matter of 90 minutes to decide the game and the best team will walk away with what they deserve,” Antipas said.

Chicken Inn were promoted into the topflight at the beginning of 2011 and in their maiden Premiership against Dynamos they lost 0-1 in Harare and shared spoils in a goalless draw at Barbourfields. The following season Dynamos beat Chicken Inn 2-1 at Rufaro with the Gamecocks handing the Harare giants a 1-0 defeat at home.

Last season they drew home and away.
Antipas will pin his hopes on veteran Clemence Matawu who had a superb game against DeMbare in the 2-2 draw at Emagumeni, Thomas “Mahinya” Chimenya who scored the winning goals against Chiredzi FC and Hwange, young Lawrence “Dazzy” Mhlanga who has established himself at the heart of defence in the absence of injured Ben Nyahunzi as well as Brian Mbiriri who has made the left back position permanently his.

Brian Juru who will anchor the midfield in the absence of captain Danny “Deco” Phiri who is club hunting is South Africa, Tendai “Kid” Mukambi, Canaan Nkomo, Moses Jackson and goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze are some of Chicken Inn’s players to watch.

Dynamos are aware that the battle at Barbourfields will be tense but they are confident of picking maximum points.
Having already collected maximum points against How Mine and Bantu Rovers at the same venue, the DeMbare manager Richard Chihoro declared yesterday that victory is certain for his charges.

“Barbourfields is almost our second home and we are looking forward to our first win against Chicken Inn there. We don’t have injuries and at this stage we can’t afford to drop any points and we have told our boys to remain focused, fight to break that duck against Chicken Inn. It will be an open game but as it is Chazunguza has risen and we are not looking back,” said Chihoro.

Dynamos’ trump cards are Cliff Sekete, Walter Mukanga, veteran Murape Murape and defensive rocks Partson Jaure and Themba Ndlovu.

Meanwhile, Highlanders are hoping to bring back smiles to their supporters after their 0-1 loss to Dynamos last week.
Kelvin Kaindu said his charges will bounce back tomorrow.

“Everyone has been sharp at training and they are looking forward to the game. It will not be easy but we have prepared in a way that we collect maximum points. We are no longer thinking about the defeat to Dynamos which is history and we are determined to pick ourselves up and fight,” said Kaindu.

The Zambian expatriate starts life without Kudakwashe Mahachi who sneaked out of the country on Wednesday to join his Mamelodi Sundowns enroute to trials at AS Nancy in France, Peter “Rio” Moyo who has joined his Mpumalanga Black Aces and Milton Ncube.

Highlanders are also hoping to cash-in on Khumbulani Banda who is on trials at Maritzburg United and misses tomorrow’s game.
Bosso’s top goalscorer Charles Sibanda will lead their attack with either Cleopas Dube or Ozias Zibande.

It remains to be seen whether Kaindu will give Joel “Josta” Ngodzo his first start at Barbourfields Stadium after using him against Dynamos last week.

At Gibbo Stadium, Triangle welcomes How Mine with miners Hwange seeking maximum points against Caps United at the National Sports Stadium.