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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
WITH the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season over, focus turns to the NetOne-sponsored Easycall semi-finals set for Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of soccer, Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday and Sunday. The country’s big three, Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United as well as the PSL champions Chicken Inn are left in the $433,000 tournament. The winners of the tournament are set to receive $80,000, runners-up $50,000 and losing semi-finalists $30,000.

Chicken Inn will take on Caps United on Saturday with Highlanders playing host to their perennial rivals Dynamos on Sunday. The Gamecocks will be hoping to claim Caps United’s scalp and move closer towards finishing the year with a league and cup double.

However, Joey Antipas believes that Caps United will not be easy opponents and has called on his boys to put on hold their league title celebrations.

“Celebrations are over and we’re now concentrating on the Easycall Cup. Our semi-final opponents Caps United have been playing well of late and I’m sure it’s going to be a good game. I think pressure is more on their side because we’re relaxed after winning the championship and they want this cup. We also want to end the season on a bright note and adding another cup will be good for the team,” said Antipas.

On their way to the last four, Chicken Inn beat ZPC Kariba after penalty shootouts while Caps United knocked out Hwange. Chicken Inn will pin their hopes on Soccer Star of the Year finalists Danny “Deco” Phiri, veteran Clemence Matawu, their top goal scorer Edmore Chirambadare and goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze. Other players expected to drive the Gamecocks include defender Lawrence Mhlanga, striker Mitchell Katsvairo and wingers George Majika and Toto Banda.

Caps United have been enjoying some fine run and will want to end the year by adding another trophy into their cabinet. Their coach Lloyd Chitembwe who was voted as the PSL November Coach of the Month is wary of the Gamecocks.

“Obviously the cup game is going to be difficult because we’re playing the league’s champions. What I know is that it’s going to be a good game because we’ve also been doing well of late and winning this tournament will be good for the club and players who’ve been working very hard,” said Chitembwe.

The Green Machine’s hopes will be pinned on rejuvenated midfielder Joel Ngodzo, defensive midfielder Dominic Mukandi and seasoned defender Moses Muchenje. Soccer Star of the Year finalist Stephen Makatuka will marshal Caps United’s defence while Dominic Chungwa will lead their search for goals.