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Joey Antipas
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
LEAGUE and cup double candidates Chicken Inn have declared that they will be participating in the demanding but lucrative Caf Champions League next year if they win their inaugural top-flight title. Club chairman Lifa Nucbe confirmed yesterday that his executive will be meeting soon to consider invading the African jungles in the event they lift the coveted Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
“We will be meeting soon to consider the African safari but indications are that we will play,” said Ncube. The Joe Antipas coached outfit have always remained modest about their championship aspirations despite leading the league table for most of the season now. With seven matches to go, the GameCocks enjoy a five point lead over second placed FC Platinum. Chicken Inn also have the added advantage of meeting their two closest rivals FC Platinum and Dynamos at home, in what is clearly becoming a dog eat dog campaign.
They made a very clear statement of intent on Wednesday when they came from a goal down to tricky Triangle at Gibbo Stadium to emerge 2-1 winners and stay top of the table, despite FC Platinum winning 3-0 over a disjointed How Mine at Luveve Stadium while reigning champions Dynamos clobbered Whawha 5-1 at Rufaro Stadium on the same day.
It is the Gibbo Stadium result that perhaps might have changed the administration’s mindset about their championship aspirations.
Ncube said their aim at the start of the season was to finish inside the top-four bracket, saying they still remain confident of achieving their target. He attributed their fairytale run to the element of surprise as no one seemed to believe in them following low key preseason preparations.
“When the season started we were aiming for a top four finish. Last year we finished on position six and our major let down in the prior year was the lack of goals as we were playing well. This season you will notice we signed more attack minded players than other departments, such as Edmore Chirambadare, David Temwanjira, Michelle Katsvairo and Tafadzwa Kutinyu. The other recruitments were from the juniors. With the recruitment we did we were confident that we could achieve this. The other thing that worked for us is the surprise element. At the beginning of the season no one believed in us and that removed pressure from us,” said Ncube.
The GameCocks take on Dynamos in their next game at Luveve Stadium while FC Platinum will be away to Tsholotsho on the same weekend. From the remaining seven matches Chicken Inn will play five games in Bulawayo with the other two being away to Whawha and Flame Lily.
With seasoned campaigners like Clemence Matawu, Moses Jackson, Guide Goddard, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Soccer Star of the Year favourite and skipper Danny Phiri, Goalkeeper of the Year front runner Elvis Chipezeze, Antipas has the players that can take all the pressure that is exerted at this time of the year. The 2010 championship winning coach with Motor Action is also in the running for the Coach of the Year award.
Their find of the season, a favourite for the prestigious stars’ calendar, Chirambadare finally remembered how to score when he took his tally level with Bosso’s Knox Mutizwa on Wednesday. Chicken Inn’s destiny is in their own hands heading into the blockbuster matches against Dynamos and FC Platinum, the two matches likely to determine whether they realise their dream or not.
Ncube though does not want to put pressure on his camp. “I don’t think beating Dynamos and FC Platinum will make us champions. We will still have away games to Flame Lily and Whawha to play and I believe those are very tough games,” said Ncube.
Chicken Inn’s last seven matches
Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields), How Mine v Chicken Inn (Luveve), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), Whawha v Chicken Inn (Ascot), Chicken Inn v Tsholotsho (Luveve), Chicken Inn v Harare City (Luveve), Flame Lily v Chicken Inn (Lafarge)
FC Platinum’s last seven matches
Tsholotsho v FC Platinum (White City), FC Platinum v Whawha (Mandava), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), FC Platinum v Harare City (Mandava), Flame Lily v FC Platinum (Lafarge), FC Platinum v Caps United (Mandava), Dongo Sawmill v FC Platinum (Vengere)
Dynamos’ last seven matches
Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields Stadium), Dynamos v Harare City (Rufaro), Flame Lily v Dynamos (Lafarge), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro), Dongo Sawmill v Dynamos (Vengere), Dynamos v Chapungu (Rufaro), Buffaloes v Dynamos (Sakubva)