Joey Antipas
Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
A bullish Chicken Inn FC coach Joey Antipas is confident that his side will collect maximum points against tricky ZPC Kariba who they play host to at Luveve Stadium this afternoon. A victory for the Gamecocks will keep their title hopes alive as defending champions Dynamos are heavily breathing down their neck, looking to close the four-point gap.
Chicken Inn are top of the table with 43 points and are aware that any slip up could cost them their dream of lifting the silverware. DeMbare take on championship dark horses FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium this afternoon, hoping to get the better of the Zvishavane side which seems to be unstoppable. FC Platinum are third on the table with 38 points. Antipas claims that he is not bothered about how Dynamos or FC Platinum play and demands maximum efforts from his players.
“What we need to do is control the controllable by winning our games. We mustn’t lose focus by worrying about other teams because competition is getting tight with every fixture being more like a cup final. What I want is for my boys to give me 100 percent on the field. We want three points. I know ZPC Kariba are in a precarious position which makes them dangerous but I insist, nothing other than maximum points is what we’re fighting for,” Antipas said.
Chicken Inn will have to do without suspended skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri, Young Warriors duo of Lawrence Mhlanga and Raphael Kutinyu who are on national duty at the African Games in Congo.
Brian Juru could play as a defensive midfielder, filling Phiri’s gap while Guide Goddard is likely to be handed a starting place partnering Moses Jackson at central defence in the absence of Mhlanga. Veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu is likely to be thrust in Kutinyu’s creative role.
Chicken Inn will bank on their reliable attacking duo of Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchell Katsvairo to get them goals with Elvis Chipezeze guarding the goal for the Bulawayo side. ZPC Kariba will not be pushovers and starring relegation, they will certainly give Chicken Inn a good run for their money.
Coached by ex-national team gaffer Sunday Chidzambwa, the electricity generators will pin their hopes on veteran forward Limited Chikafa to lead their attack while reigning Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda will partner Thomas Sweswe at central defence. Philip Makanje, Russell Madamombe, Raphael Manuvire and Tawanda Nyamandwe are some of ZPC Kariba’s players to watch.
Meanwhile, Hwange will be hoping to get maximum points against relegation threatened Flame Lily at Lafarge this afternoon without head coach Nation Dube who is in Congo Brazzaville with the Young Warriors. Tomorrow, Tsholotsho FC will be hoping to pile more pressure on How Mine at White City Stadium as they continue with their survival fight. The Zhwane Boys desperately need maximum points so that they move out of the drop zone while How Mine need a victory to ease pressure on coach Luke Masomere.
Fixtures
Today: Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava), Flame Lily v Hwange (Lafarge)
Tomorrow: Whawha v Triangle United (Ascot), Dongo Sawmill v Chapungu (Vengere), Caps United v Buffaloes (National Sports Stadium), Tsholotsho FC v How Mine (White City)