Antipas rallies Gamecocks

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn coach Joey Antipas says the Castle Lager Premiership soccer log leaders need to lift their game when they square off against potential party spoilers Tsholotsho FC at White City this afternoon. The Gamecocks need maximum points to stay in the hunt for their maiden league title, but their campaign was dented in the last two league games when they failed to collect maximum points.

Facing three teams that are in the relegation zone in their last four assignments has not made their finishing any easier in the championship race. Chicken Inn were held to a 1-1 draw by Whawha in their last match which allowed nearest rivals FC Platinum to reduce the gap between the top two teams to just two points.

Antipas said before they can think of the clash against middle-of-the-table side Harare City in their next assignment and finally Flame Lily who are most likely to have been relegated when they play their last match, they need to pick themselves up and get maximum points from Tsholotsho today.

“It’s an important game. We need to try and get a positive result if we want to keep our dream of winning the title alive. “We struggled in the last game against Whawha in Gweru and I would say it all boils down to attitude. Whawha were also playing for survival and it had to be a difficult game.

“So this is another tricky game in our hands because these guys are fighting tooth and nail for survival. But for us to be crowned champions, we have to win all our games especially at this stage. “It’s very important that the boys respond in a positive manner from the disappointments we suffered at Whawha. I am happy with their application, though.

“We played virtually a second string side in the NetOne Easycall Cup quarter-finals and those boys did very well. So there is healthy competition among the players,” said Antipas.

The Gamecocks are leading the race on 54 points, two ahead of FC Platinum with just three games to go. They will however, have to do without their first choice goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze who is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards.

Tsholotsho on the other hand have been on the revival path and have since risen three points above the cut-off point. The Zhwane boys are likely to give the Gamecocks a good run for their money to improve their chances of survival. Chicken Inn will also be playing with one ear keenly following what will be happening in the match between FC Platinum and Flame Lily at Lafarge.

The Premier League have ruled that all decisive matches will be played at the same time beginning today with a full programme. And, defending champions Dynamos, who have fallen six points off the pace, are adamant they are still in the race when they travel to Dongo Sawmill.

DeMbare team manager Richard Chihoro said they are aiming for maximum points to maintain the pressure on the top two teams. Usually, Harare giants Dynamos get most of the attention at this stage of the race, but things have changed this year and their match against relegated Dongo Sawmill could be of little value.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Harare giants apparently are set to relinquish the crown after dominating the domestic league for the last four seasons. It’s a grim reality they are not prepared to accept at the moment.

“The championship is still open. Any one of the teams in the top three can still win it. So we are aiming to win at Dongo Sawmill and then see what happens in the remaining matches. “The boys are still keen. I am glad we won on Sunday in the NetOne Easycall Cup and we should aim to build on that,” said Chihoro.

Striker Roderick Mutuma, midfielder Masimba Mambare and long-term casualty Obey Mwerahari are still out injured. Dongo have nothing to play for after they were relegated last week following their 5-1 demolition at Triangle.

Fixtures:
Today: Tsholotsho v Chicken Inn (White City), Flame Lily v FC Platinum (Lafarge), CAPS United v How Mine (NSS), Dongo Sawmill v Dynamos (Vengere), Chapungu v Triangle (Ascot), Buffaloes v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery), Harare City v Whawha (Rufaro).