Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
Zimpapers Sports Hub
VETERAN Chicken Inn head coach Joey “Mafero” Antipas says his side must “play like devils” when they face fellow relegation fighters Triangle United in a crucial Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Gibbo Stadium on Sunday.
With only four matches left before the curtain comes down on the 2025 campaign, the Gamecocks are desperate for points as the battle for survival tightens. “Triangle are a very good side and have been picking up,” said Antipas. “We’ll need to go there and play like devils, we have to be on our toes. We want to put up a good show, and I’m happy that for now we’re injury free.”
Antipas will pin his hopes on goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, skipper Xolani “Lolo” Ndlovu, and the combative pair of Neilson Ketala and Itai Mabunu. The attacking threat will likely come from Brian Muza and Michael Charamba, among others.
Heading into the weekend, Chicken Inn sit 13th on the log with 33 points. Triangle, captained by Thabani “Scara” Kamusoko and coached by Genesis “Kaka” Mangombe, are two places above them in 11th, tied on 34 points with Manica Diamonds.
With just a single point separating the two sides, the Lowveld showdown promises to be a tense, high stakes affair that could reshape the relegation puzzle.
Elsewhere, football lovers can look forward to a packed Match Day 31 that includes a potential blockbuster between Highlanders and Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium. CAPS United host Manica Diamonds at Rufaro Stadium, while Yadah Stars take on ZPC Kariba at Heart Stadium.
FC Platinum meet TelOne at Mandava, Scottland clash with MWOS at Rufaro, Greenfuel face Kwekwe United at Greenfuel Arena, and Ngezi Platinum Stars host defending champions Simba Bhora at Baobab Stadium. The round concludes on Monday when Bikita Minerals welcome Herentals at Sakubva Stadium.
Match Day 31 Fixtures
Saturday: Yadah v ZPC Kariba (Heart Stadium), FC Platinum v TelOne (Mandava Stadium), Scottland v MWOS (Rufaro Stadium), Greenfuel v Kwekwe United (Greenfuel Arena), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Simba Bhora (Baobab Stadium)
Sunday: Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields Stadium), Triangle United v Chicken Inn (Gibbo Stadium), CAPS United v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro Stadium)
Monday: Bikita Minerals v Herentals (Sakubva Stadium)
