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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THEY are at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table yet they remain modest about their championship aspiration. That’s the story of Chicken Inn FC. As it stands, the Gamecocks look set to become only the third Bulawayo club other than Highlanders and the now defunct AmaZulu to win the Premiership title.

If they keep the fire burning, Chicken Inn have the qualities to run away with the title.

Gamecocks’ coach Joey Antipas, who led ex-Premiership side Motor Action to the 2010 championship glory, has assembled a strong side made up of experienced and youthful players.

On Saturday, Chicken Inn shot to the top of the table from position three following their 1-0 win over How Mine at Luveve Stadium. Raphael Kutinyu, on loan from Bantu Rovers, scored for Chicken Inn in the first half and that goal piled the pressure on How Mine.

Triangle United, who had gone into the weekend sitting at the summit, exchanged places with the Gamecocks after registering their first defeat of the season, going down 0-1 to Flame Lily.

Defending champions Dynamos — the only team yet to lose — were held to a 0-0 draw by Harare City.

After digesting the weekend victory which propelled Chicken Inn to the top of the table, Antipas refused to be drawn into commenting about the championship.

“It feels good to be at the top but it comes with lots of pressure as you suddenly become the team to beat. It’s part of the game and we’ve to continue working hard. Only six games have been played and I think it’ll be folly to tag us as championship favourites. Competition is tight and if you lose once or twice others catch up. To us, the title is the last thing on our minds. What we want is to improve from last season’s standings,” said Antipas.

He might be choosing to be diplomatic about the title aspirations, but his side’s technical and tactical astuteness complemented with quality players makes them firm favourites.

Veterans Clemence Matawu and Mkhokheli Dube boast of experience garnered from their overseas stints. Dube is one of the few players who’ve won the championship having done so with Bosso just after the turn of the new millennium.

Midfielder Bhekimpilo “Bhaka” Ncube and rightback Passmore Bernard were part of Antipas’ 2010 championship winning side at Motor Action.

Youthful players at the Gamecocks who are proving to be game winners include goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, Young Warriors’ central defender Lawrence Mhlanga, leftback Devine Lunga who has relegated Brian Mbiriri to the bench, George Majika and Kutinyu.

Former Mpopoma High School’s Toto Banda and off season signing Edmore Chirambadare have been proving to be deadly for most opponents.

However, Antipas is not happy with Chirambadare’s selfishness and propensity to unnecessarily hold on to the ball instead of passing it to better positioned teammates.

“Chirambadare is a young lad full of potential and needs help. I think he can be more deadly if he releases the ball. We could win by bigger margins if he works on his shortcomings which we’ll help him overcome,” Antipas said.

While Chicken Inn are smiling because of their fine form ahead of a clash against Dynamos this weekend, How Mine were left feeling the heat.

The goldminers — sixth on the table — are six points behind Chicken Inn.

In the derby against Chicken Inn, How Mine’s coach Luke Masomere started with three seasoned strikers Charles Sibanda, Kuda Musharu and Limited Chikafa but still failed to prise open the Gamecocks’ defence.

The miners were left frustrated as they left Luveve Stadium without scoring for the third time this season.

Besides Masomere, other coaches who are feeling the heat are FC Platinum’s Norman Mapeza and Nation Dube whose sides are in precarious positions.

FC Platinum handed Whawha their first win of the season going down 1-2 in Gweru while Hwange with the same number of points (four) with FC Platinum drew 0-0 against Chapungu.

Chipangano are third from the bottom while FC Platinum occupy position 13.

On a positive note, Highlanders’ coach Bongani Mafu could have heaved a big sigh of relief after watching his boys collect maximum points in Rusape where they condemned Dongo Sawmill to the bottom of the table with a 1-0 win.

Nqobizitha Masuku — on loan from Bantu Rovers — returned from national duty having missed Highlanders’ 0-1 defeat to Chapungu to score for Bosso at Vengere Stadium.

The victory at Dongo Sawmill could be the tonic that Highlanders needed to calm their fans as they head for an epic battle with Caps United at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.