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From Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
NORMAN Mapeza is taking this afternoon’s match against Chicken Inn very seriously as he wants to finish in the top four. That would see his lads qualify for the Mbada Diamonds Cup as only the top four teams qualify for the tournament.

“Our wish is to finish the season in the top four. Highlanders, Hwange, Caps United, Chicken Inn and us have chances to be among the top four so we are taking the game seriously.

“I know the game is going to be very tough for us as Chicken Inn have been doing well,” said Mapeza.

FC Platinum are favourites to collect maximum points as they have an edge over their visitors. Since the arrival of Mapeza, youngsters who are full of energy have been thrown into the fray with the club stopping teams like ZPC Hwange.

On Wednesday the platinum miners could have collected maximum points had they been accurate in front of goal in the 0-0 draw with Caps United.

Mapeza will be happy about the return of midfield maestros Wisdom Mutasa and Tatenda Dzumbunu who missed the clash in Harare on Wednesday through injury. The two have been the heart of FC Platinum with Mutasa outstanding.

Walter Musona, young Mutasa’s friend since their days at the now defunct Motor Action, has been scoring some important goals and given the fact that they are playing at home, the Gamecocks could be in for a hiding.

Joey Antipas, Chicken Inn’s coach is wary of the platinum miners.

“Their frontline is excellent. They have good players in Chirwa (Obrey), Musona (Walter) and Mutasa (Wisdom). It is a tough fixture for us coming to Mandava as they have been doing very well.

“They are in the Chibuku Super Cup final, they have won the ZNA Commander Charities Cup but we are also aiming for a top four finish and I am very confident that we are going to give them a good run for their money,” said Antipas.

The former Motor Action coach who at one time was under fire, has transformed Chicken Inn into a good side.

Meanwhile, Jairos Tapera has called for unity and asked all the Shabanie Mine fans to pull in one direction.

His side will clash with Black Rhinos in Kadoma in a must win-match for the miners.

“We need to bury all what happened on Wednesday and focus on our game on Sunday. We must rally behind whoever we choose to don the maroon and white jersey. The game is going to be very tough because if Rhinos win they will have brightened their chances of survival,’’ said Tapera.