Antipas challenges his players

Joey Antipas

AFTER watching his Chicken Inn charges play two identical goalless draws in their opening Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches, Joey Antipas has challenged his players to show more determination and aggression in their Week Three tie against FC Platinum set for Luveve Stadium on Saturday.

In their first fixture of the season, the Gamecocks played a goalless home draw against Bikita Minerals before they went to post a similar result when they faced Yadah Stars at the Heart Stadium in Harare last Friday.

Chicken Inn, Dynamos, Simba Bhora and ZPC Kariba FC are yet to score in this campaign and the four teams, along with log leaders Scottland and FC Platinum, are yet to have their defences breached by the opposition.

“Luck has been coming our way in the last two games. We are coming from two draws, which shows that there is a need to up our game against FC Platinum. There will be a need to bring our A game. The players need to be more determined and show aggression to win. We can’t be playing for the sake of playing,” said Antipas. He acknowledged that FC Platinum are a good side.

Antipas said they have been working on different player combinations as they look forward to overcoming the Zvishavane-based side.

“FC Platinum are a good side, with a good coach. As such, we will need to be at our very best to win. We are having a couple of injuries and we have been working on some combinations. Some guys have not played, we will try and throw them and maybe they will make a difference,” said Antipas.

Last weekend, FC Platinum edged Manica Diamonds 1-0 at Mandava Stadium.

The platinum miners needed a Vincent Nyangulu goal two minutes from time to undo the Mutare side, who had reportedly repelled everything thrown at them.

On numerous occasions last season, FC Platinum struggled to break down teams that sat back to defend.

In their season opener, Pure Platinum Play drew nil all against Joel Luphahla mentored Simba Bhora.

Tomorrow, Scottland FC will take on Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro Stadium.

PSL Week Three Fixtures
Tomorrow
Scottland FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro)

Saturday
Simba Bhora Herentals (Wadzanayi), Dynamos v TelOne (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), MWOS v Yadah (Baobab), Greenfuel v Highlanders (Greenfuel Arena), Kwekwe United v Bikita Minerals (Bata)

Sunday
Manica Diamonds v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva), Triangle United v Caps United (Greenfuel)—@FungaiMuderere