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Takudzwa Chitsiga, Harare Bureau
YADAH Stars became the first club to hand Castle Lager Premiership leaders Chicken Inn a defeat, in 11 games, when they posted a shock 2-1 win in the City of Kings two weeks ago.

A tactical masterclass, in which their technical advisor Prophet Walter Magaya gambled on converting regular leftback Morris Musiyakuvi into a lone striker, insisting his pace could tear the ageing Gamecocks defence, paid off handsomely for the Harare side.

Musiyakuvi, probably the fastest player in the domestic Premiership today, responded to the challenge of playing as a striker and scored the winning goal at Hartsfield.

Given that Chicken Inn had gone for 11 league matches without a loss, including nine clean sheets, Yadah’s two goals that afternoon were special.

And, they followed that result up with a 1-0 win over Hwange in the Chibuku Super Cup preliminary round tie at Mandava last Saturday.

Two weeks after they shocked the Gamecocks, and then eliminated Hwange, with both victories coming on the road, Yadah are in Gweru on Saturday for another date against Rahman Gumbo’s men.

The two sides meet on the neutral fields of Ascot on Saturday and there are expectations at Yadah that Rodreck Mutuma, who has missed the last two matches because of an injured hand, and Munyaradzi Chiwara, could bounce back.

Big midfielder, Oscar Machapa, is training with the team but Congolese giants AS Vita are yet to clear him, the two parties are looking at the possibility of the player featuring for the team next year.

Yadah could also sign Tafadzwa Rusike, who was released by Caps United, for next season and the midfielder has been gracing the club’s training sessions and watching from a distance as he still has some issues to sort out with the Green Machine.

Magaya expects a different approach from the Gamecocks on Saturday and that is why Yadah have also been exploring different strategies, from Plan A to Plan D, for the Ascot battle.

Yadah coach, Thomas Ruzive, said the pressure was on their opponents.

“We are ready for the match and we know what to expect, no coach would love two defeats by a single side within a few days, so they will come prepared for us,” he said.

“The game will be tough, they are title contenders, which shows that they have a strong side, but we will not look much into that and rather play our normal game.

“We have worked hard and we need to progress in the Cup games so the boys are ready for the match, we have now managed to win some crucial matches both in the League and in the Cup game so our confidence has improved as well.”

The coach expects Mutuma to return to the team.

“We will be welcoming back Mutuma and Chiwara who have been training with the team after recovering from injuries. The players had injuries in the past few weeks and their return will be a major boost for the side.

“We need the players so that we can have a large pool to select the team from and so this is a plus for us. We are also happy that the match is at a neutral venue which gives no team any advantage and I think it is good for Cup games.

“We will be looking for a good result in Gweru and everyone is looking forward to the game the boys really need to progress,” said Ruzive.

Chibuku Super Cup Fixtures

Saturday: FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava), Black rhinos v Triangle (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Yadah (Ascot).
Sunday: Dynamos v Bulawayo City (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum v Caps United (Baobab), How Mine v Bantu Rovers (Ascot), Highlanders v Harare city (Mandava), ZPC Kariba v Shabanie Mine (Nyamhunga).