Antipas banks on Ndoro

Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
CHICKEN Inn coach Joey Antipas believes team tactics and the form of free-scoring Premier League top marksman Tendai Ndoro will be key to the outcome of his side’s clash with Dynamos at Barbourfields on Sunday. City neighbours Highlanders have a keen interest in the game as a Chicken Inn win and a corresponding result in their match with Harare City could see Kelvin Kaindu’s men winning the championship with a game to spare.

Against that background Highlanders fans are expected to come in their numbers to cheer Antipas’ men at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of football.

In an interview in the city last night, the former Arcadia defender, a championship winner with Motor Action in 2010, said he was hopeful for a positive result.

He admitted that he was aware of Dynamos’ might but with a clean bill of health in his camp, he is convinced they can beat Dynamos.
“The mood in the camp is alright, the spirit is high. They (boys) are focused and looking forward to the game. They have been playing well of late. We need to continue from where we left off,” said Antipas of his team’s 4-1 triumph away to Tripple B in a mid-week fixture in Beitbridge.

He said he would engage a high-intensity approach to the game which he hopes will match Dynamos’ attacking game.
“We are preparing for that as we know how they play. Our boys just need to stay focused and deal with the situation,” said Antipas.

The former Warriors assistant coach said Ndoro’s potency in front of goal would be crucial, describing his South Africa-bound star, a scorer of 17 league goals, as being key to the outcome of Sunday’s game.

“He is a quality player who can deliver goods at any time against any opponent. He is a good striker and his form on the day will be decisive. But it’s not only him that we are looking up to but the whole team to deliver,” said Antipas.

Kudakwashe Mahachi, a sure candidate with Ndoro for the Soccer Star of the Year calendar and Felix Chindungwe, are some of the key players expected to guide the Gamecocks to a good result.

One can never write off Dynamos especially when there are big rewards. Their players have the big match temperament and that could be the difference between the two sides.

Unlike in the match against Highlanders where they seemed keen to play for a draw and engaged in delaying tactics similar to those employed by Triangle on Wednesday, DeMbare are expected to go all out for three points on Sunday.

This could leave them exposed to counter-attacks and a swift transition from defence to attack could carry the day for the home team.
Tawanda Muparati, giant goalie George Chigova, Thomas Magorimbo and Gift Bello will be key to Dynamos’ championship cause.

Meanwhile, fans who will come for the title decider will pay $5 for the rest of the ground, $10 for the wings and $20 for the VIP tribune.
Tawengwa Hara, the Chicken Inn secretary-general, confirmed the gate charges last night.