Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere ,Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS pressure mounts in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas is urging calm and unity, vowing his side will bounce back when they host Yadah Stars at Luveve Stadium this Saturday.
It hasn’t been a smooth ride for either Chicken Inn or Yadah Stars this season. Both sides have struggled to find consistent form in a campaign now dominated by defending champions Simba Bhora and league newcomers MWOS.
“We have to calm our nerves because in football, you lose, win and draw some matches,” said Antipas.
“We are still working hard at training and hopefully we’ll get it right once again on the home turf. I think there is no need for us to panic, it all needs a collective effort.”
The veteran gaffer added: “We are still working on the team’s confidence and we have quite a number of experienced players that can help us to do that.”
Chicken Inn, sponsored by Simbisa Brands, suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bikita Minerals last weekend at Gibbo Stadium. They’ll be looking to use home advantage to turn the tide.
Meanwhile, Highlanders, who are also smarting from a 1-0 defeat at the hands of MWOS, will head to Gweru for a clash against Kwekwe United at Bata Stadium. Bosso are now under the guidance of caretaker coach Try Ncube following Kelvin Kaindu’s recent departure.
TRY NCUBE
MWOS, riding high at the top of the standings with 37 points, will be aiming to stretch their fine run when they host Bikita Minerals at Ngoni Stadium. Their closest rivals, Simba Bhora, sit just one point behind and will face ZPC Kariba at Wadzanayi Stadium.
Rufaro Stadium is set to host two potentially explosive fixtures. On Saturday, Harare giants Dynamos will face Herentals College, while on Sunday, high spending newcomers Scottland FC take on CAPS United in a highly anticipated showdown.
In other action, GreenFuel meet Ngezi Platinum Stars at GreenFuel Arena, while Triangle United face TelOne at Gibbo Stadium.
Elsewhere, the scheduled clash between Manica Diamonds and FC Platinum at Sakubva Stadium has been postponed following the tragic death of FC Platinum midfielder Brian “Bhibhiza Ndazula” Banda.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who hailed from Entumbane, passed away from injuries sustained in a car crash last Sunday. He had been recovering from a previous injury and was in the stands when FC Platinum drew 1-1 with Simba Bhora at Mandava Stadium.
Banda will be laid to rest today at Bulawayo’s West Park Cemetery.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Week 19 Fixtures
Saturday: Greenfuel v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Greenfuel Arena), MWOS v Bikita Minerals (Ngoni Stadium), Chicken Inn v Yadah Stars (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v FC Platinum (postponed), Simba Bhora v ZPC Kariba (Wadzanayi Stadium), Dynamos v Herentals College (Rufaro Stadium)
Sunday: Triangle United v TelOne (Gibbo Stadium), Scottland FC v CAPS United (Rufaro Stadium), Kwekwe United v Highlanders (Bata Stadium) — @FungaiMuderere
