Title chasing Chicken Inn take on relegation threatened Tsholotsho FC Joey Antipas
Joey Antipas

Joey Antipas

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S all to play for at White City Stadium this afternoon when Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table toppers Chicken Inn take on relegation-threatened Tsholotsho FC.

With both clubs hard-pressed for maximum points, a top-drawer encounter is on the cards with Chicken Inn well aware that a defeat or a draw would be tantamount to surrendering their top spot to FC Platinum, who are also involved in a tricky away tie against Flame Lily in Harare. Only two points separate Chicken Inn and FC Platinum at the top of the table.

A calm Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe said the pressure is on Chicken Inn, who have been perched at the top of the league table since Week Six.

Today’s encounter presents a real test for Chicken Inn as Tsholotsho have proved hard to beat at the bumpy yet compact White City pitch.

The uneven White City pitch makes it difficult for visiting teams to play a passing game, which the Gamecocks are known to prefer. No doubt, Chicken Inn’s free-flowing rhythm will be affected and it remains to be seen if they will adapt to the long-ball play.

Whatever the case, Sweswe is confident that his team will suffocate the championship favourites and ease their own relegation worries.

“Our preparations have gone well and we didn’t subject the players to intense training because to us this is just like any other game. Everyone in our camp is relaxed and knows what’s at stake,” said Sweswe.

“After winning our Matabeleland North derby against Hwange, we took off some load from our backs. Now going into the Chicken Inn game, I believe they’re more under pressure because they’ve FC Platinum breathing down their neck. What we just need to do is to contain them and if we get three points we’ll be home, safe and dry.”

Tsholotsho lost the first leg 1-0 and will be without suspended striker Nixon Gama, who has picked up three yellow cards.

Either Ayanda Ncube or Remington Masuku will partner Lynnoth Chikuhwa upfront with Kudzanai Machazane, Butholezwe Ncube, Ocient Ncube and veteran Joel Luphahla completing Tsholotsho’s midfield.

Tsholotsho skipper William Stima will marshal the defence alongside MacClive Phiri, Nkosilathi Moyo and Thandolwenkosi Ncube.

The home team will be hoping goalkeeper Nickel Marichi will guard his goal jealously.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas is wary of Tsholotsho after seeing his side struggle in their last league match against relegation bound Whawha, whom they held to a 1-1 draw in Gweru.

Without suspended goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, Chicken Inn will bank on Pride “Cool-Cat” Zendera, who had a good Easycall Cup quarter-finals’ game against ZPC Kariba.

Chicken Inn, who rested key players like midfielder and captain Danny “Deco” Phiri, defenders Brian Mbiriri and Moses Jackson, their top goal scorer Edmore Chirambadare and midfield kingpin Clemence Matawu for the Kariba trip, will be hoping that players are charged up for today’s game.

Other players that the Gamecocks will pin their hopes on include striker Mitchell Katsvairo, defender Lawrence Mhlanga and wingers Toto Banda and George Majika.

Meanwhile, Hwange coach Nation Dube returns to take charge of the coalminers at home this afternoon when they take on top-eight chasing Highlanders at the Colliery Stadium.

Dube missed Hwange’s 0-1 home defeat against Tsholotsho as he was attending a high level coaching clinic in Zambia and only joined his side on Saturday in Harare on the day they lost 1-3 to Caps United in the Easycall Cup quarter-finals.

The Hwange gaffer said due to hectic travel arrangements, they have only been doing recovery exercises.

“What I can say is that we’re ready for the referees to officiate tomorrow’s game. We can’t talk of training because we arrived in Hwange on Sunday night and because the boys were tired, we had to work on the recovery. We can’t talk about training because even after the Highlanders game, we’ll leave for Kariba where we play ZPC Kariba on Saturday. With regards to the Highlanders game, we’re looking forward to a good game,” said Dube.

Highlanders left yesterday morning upbeat following their 1-0 win against FC Platinum in the Easycall Cup quarter-finals.

The Bosso squad yesterday put up at Victoria Falls’ Elephant Hills Hotel courtesy of their supporters’ chapter based in the resort town.

Bosso are ninth on the table and a victory at the Colliery will push them into the top eight in the event that Harare City and Chapungu lose their respective games against Whawha and Triangle United.

Fixtures

Today: Tsholotsho FC v Chicken Inn (White City), Flame Lily FC v FC Platinum (Lafarge), Caps United v How Mine (National Sports Stadium), Dongo Sawmill v Dynamos (Vengere), Chapungu v Triangle United (Ascot), Buffaloes v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery), Harare City v Whawha (Rufaro)

You Might Also Like

Comments