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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HALF a dozen Chicken Inn FC senior players will miss today’s Premiership encounter against bottom of the table Chiredzi FC at Luveve Stadium due to various reasons.The Gamecocks coach Joey Antipas yesterday said they would have to do without national team defensive midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri who has been attending trials in South Africa and was expected last night as well as striker Mkhokheli Dube who is attending to personal business in the United States.

Dube was on target last weekend when Chicken Inn drew 1-1 against Shabanie Mine in Zvishavane.

The injured quartet of Ben Nyahunzvi, Bhekimpilo “Bhaka” Ncube, Tendai Mukambi and Brian Mbiriri complete the list of Chicken Inn players that will miss today’s game.

Antipas believes the unavailability of the six players is a blessing in disguise for bench warmers as today is their opportunity to prove their worth to the club.

The 2010 championship winning coach with Motor Action also ruled out complacency from his camp having seen his charges lose 1-2 to Bantu Rovers last month.

“Chiredzi FC are tricky customers and there is no dangerous team in the league than that which is at the bottom of the log. We learnt it the hard way against Bantu Rovers where the players went for the game underrating them only to discover that Bantu Rovers were a hard nut to crack late in the game. What we need to do tomorrow is to go with the right mentality and attitude, give respect to our opponents and take them on like they are champions.

“I will give some guys that have not been playing game time to prove that they are valuable to the club because some of the guys are injured,” said Antipas.

George Majika, who scored the equaliser for the Gamecocks against Highlanders, is a direct replacement for Ncube with ex-Bosso striker Graham Ncube and Thomas Chimenya coming in for Dube and Mukambi.

In the absence of Phiri, Antipas has Brian Juru who is equally capable of protecting the defence line as well as dictate pace in midfield.
Chiredzi FC had a fruitful trip to Bulawayo in their last visit, handing Bantu Rovers a 0-2 defeat. That victory against Tshintsha Guluva remains the only one that Chiredzi FC have recorded in 10 matches losing six and playing to three draws.

The Moses Chunga coached side’s key players are Fidelis Mangezi, Norman Maroto and veteran midfielder Rowan Nenzou.

At Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane, a full strength FC Platinum plays host to Black Rhinos.

“Everyone is available for selection and we are looking forward to a good game. I think we are getting better with each passing game and we will continue using our strength which is to attack and Black Rhinos must be ready for us,” said FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa.

His charges who have fully recovered include midfielder Allan Gahadzikwa, Zambian striker Obrey Chirwa and utility player Aaron Katebe.

Tomorrow, Caps United plays host to Shabanie Mine at the giant National Sports Stadium and the Zvishavane side has declared war on the Green Machine.

“We are in the league to compete and this means we are not afraid of anyone. Our away record has not been that impressive and I’m sure if we get a point in Harare we will be safe,” said Shabanie Mine coach John Phiri.

Bulawayo giants Highlanders travel to Chiredzi for a date with Triangle while Bantu Rovers wrap up Week 11 on Monday against Harare City at Rufaro Stadium.

Highlanders will be all out to reclaim pole position when they clash with Triangle at Gibbo Stadium tomorrow. Milton Ncube could play his last match for the Bulawayo giants as he is set to move to Cape Town Ajax next week.

Kelvin Kaindu could find himself having to look ahead and try players he will be left with when Ncube, Kudakwashe Mahachi and Peter Rio Moyo join South African sides soon.

Fixtures

Today: ZPC Kariba v Chapungu (Gwanzura, 3PM SS), FC Platinum v Black Rhinos (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Chiredzi FC (Luveve)

Tomorrow: Caps United v Shabanie Mine (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SS), Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery), Triangle United v Highlanders (Gibbo)

Monday: Harare City v Bantu Rovers (Rufaro, 3PM SS).