adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
LOG leaders Chicken Inn are concerned about their momentum ahead of the mid-season league break as they look to sustain the fight for a maiden championship title after making a promising start this year.
The Gamecocks will take a five-point cushion to the recess as most of their rivals in the top half of the table stumbled at the weekend.
Joey Antipas’ men have had a steady run this year and the 2-1 win away at Chapungu on Saturday will give them an edge ahead of the resumption of the league programme on the weekend of June 27-28.
The Premier Soccer League has suspended the domestic programme to pave way for the national team commitments.
Zimbabwe will travel to Malawi this week to begin their journey in the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 qualifiers.
Then the locally-based Warriors will be in action the following week when they host Comoros in their quest to make it to next year’s CHAN tournament.
Chicken Inn coach, Antipas, said the break was welcome although he was also a bit cautious that the lay-off could disrupt his team’s rhythm.
“It works in two ways, positive and negative. I think we are having a good run and, hopefully, the momentum won’t be affected when we return.
“But it’s good for us as well to get some time off and recharge the batteries.
“We are going to give the players a few days off to recover from injuries and also the fatigue that has been building in recent weeks. Thank God we don’t have serious knocks and, hopefully, some of my players will take time to heal from those niggles that we have been struggling with,” said Antipas.
Chicken Inn have now amassed 29 points from 13 games.
Their nearest competitors are Triangle who beat newboys Tsholotsho 2-0 at home to take their points tally to 24.
But there was no joy for giants Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United who were all involved in stalemates.
Dynamos had to rally to a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at ZPC Kariba when Farai Mupasiri’s 85th minute header cancelled out the first half lead by Tsepo Ranthokoane.
DeMbare swapped places with Triangle as they dropped to third with 23 points while How Mine maintained fourth place after a 1-1 draw against Highlanders.
“If you look at it closely, it’s nothing much. It’s only a difference of two or so games,” said Antipas.
“So, we need to be level-headed and not think too much about being at the top. There is still a long way to go.
“We just need to continue focusing.” Newboys Dongo Sawmill, Flame Lily, Tsholotsho Pirates and Whawha have found the going tough in the first half of the season.
The newcomers occupy the last four positions on the log standings and they would need to step up their act when the games resume.
However, Flame Lily, who parted ways with Nesbert Saruchera last week, gave a good account in the 0-0 draw against CAPS United on Sunday.
The club’s caretaker coach Backlyfield Chivenga said the league break will give him time to work on some of the challenges they have faced.
Online Reporter