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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
An explosive derby is expected at Luveve Stadium this afternoon when Chicken Inn FC take on How Mine in a league match.
Like all derbies bragging rights are at stake when the two teams clash and both would obviously want to to keep up with the leading  teams, Triangle United and Dynamos. The need to gain maximum points could be a catalyst for both sets of players to raise their game and make today’s encounter explosive.

Chicken Inn, third on the table are just a point behind leaders Triangle United and second placed Dynamos who are tied on 13 points after Week Five.

How Mine — fourth on the table — trail Chicken Inn by three points and a victory can see them leapfrog the Gamecocks as they will have a better goal difference.

What further drives How Mine to be hungrier for three points today is the fact that unlike their opponents, the goldminers are yet to lose a game.

On the other hand, Chicken Inn are banking on their good start at Luveve Stadium where they have won all their three games this season.

The Gamecocks beat Flame Lily at home 2-1 in their opening 2015 match, Tsholotsho FC 1-0 on Week Three followed by a 2-0 victory over Whawha.

Chicken Inn will be out to add How Mine to their victims’ list.

As for the miners, not only have they failed to win at Luveve Stadium, a home they share with Chicken Inn, they are yet to score a goal at the venue.

They’ve played identical 0-0 draws with Chapungu (Week One) and Harare City.

Danny “Deco” Phiri, Chicken Inn’s captain sparked flames yesterday saying: “We won’t give them the joy of tasting victory or scoring against us at Luveve Stadium.”

Phiri, who refused to be drawn into commenting about their championship aspirations, said his teammates are geared up for How Mine.

“I think this is a real test for us. How Mine are a good side and last year we failed to beat them so this is our time to make amends. It is going to be an interesting game, one where we want points more than ever because we want to quickly run away from the relegation zone,” said Phiri.

“We know that they’re stressed that they’re yet to win, let alone score at Luveve Stadium and we don’t want to be their first victims.”
Phiri is one of the five Chicken Inn players who recovered in time to be part of the derby.

The Chicken Inn captain alongside striker Edmore Chirambadare, Raphael Kutinyu, Passmore Bernard and Lawrence Mhlanga had been in the casualty department.

Chirambadare — with three goals – overcame a groin injury while Kutinyu, Mhlanga, Bernard and Phiri had pulled muscles.

Chicken Inn will also be banking on veterans Mkhokheli Dube and Clemence Matawu, Mitchell Katsvairo, George Majika and Devine Lunga in their hunt for a second victory over How Mine.

How Mine and Chicken Inn are meeting each other for the fifth time since the miners were promoted into the topflight at the beginning of 2013.

In the four meetings, How Mine have been dominant, winning twice, drawing once and losing the other.

Chicken Inn’s only win against the miners was a 1-0 scoreline registered in May 2013.

The Gamecocks’ quest for a second win might hit a brick wall should the experienced How Mine outfit be able to contain them.

How Mine’s skipper Gilbert Banda — making his first appearance in 2015 — is confident of a victory.

“The coach has done his part in preparing us for the game and the guys have been working hard to make sure that we get a positive result. We’ve got a good side which can match Chicken Inn. The guys are looking forward to the game and I’m sure we are going to get it right at Luveve Stadium and it will be nice to register our first victory in a derby,” said Banda.

How Mine will be without the injured trio of Tawanda Muparati — 2013 Premiership Soccer Star of the Year, Devon Chafa and leftback James Chitereki.

Strikers Charles Sibanda, Limited Chikafa and Kuda Musharu will lead their attack.

The miners also have national Under-23 forward Mgcini Sibanda who reportedly had a game of his life when Zimbabwe knocked out Cameroon from the Africa Games qualifiers.

Thembani “Smaller” Masuku, Heritein Masuku, Mernard Mupera and Benjamin Marere are some of the midfielders expected to create chances for the strikers.

Banda will marshal the defence with Nyasha Mukumbi, Nelson Tachi and Morris Kadzola.

Fixtures

Today: Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), Harare City v Dynamos (Rufaro), Flame Lily v Triangle United (Lafarge), Whawha v FC Platinum (Ascot).

Tomorrow: Caps United v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Dongo Sawmill v Highlanders (Vengere), Chapungu v Hwange (Ascot), Tsholotsho v Buffaloes (White City).