Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
CHICKEN INN and Highlanders, two of Bulawayo’s footballing giants, are set to chase vastly contrasting goals when they take to the field this afternoon for their Castle Lager Premiership matches. Chicken Inn, the 2015 league champions, host Ngezi Platinum, while Highlanders face a long road trip to Mutare to challenge Jairos Tapera’s Manica Diamonds.
Despite Bulawayo’s rich footballing heritage, second only to Harare in Zimbabwe, both teams appear to be heading towards a disappointing season. After 15 matches, they find themselves in unfamiliar territory at the lower end of the 18-team championship table, with Highlanders sitting 10th and the Gamecocks a worrying 15th.
Going into Wednesday’s match, Chicken Inn’s primary concern is their striking impotence. Week after week, head coach Joey Antipas has lamented the poor finishing that has seen the club struggle. Unless a drastic change occurs, the freefall could continue, spelling disaster for a city and region that tragically lost three football clubs — Arenel, Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange —from the Castle Lager Premiership in 2024.
The Gamecocks’ current statistics paint a grim picture: two wins, seven draws and five losses. Their struggle in front of goal is particularly glaring, having found the back of the net a mere seven times, making it the third-worst strike rate in the league. They’ve only outscored a surprisingly disappointing and fading Dynamos, who have managed a paltry five goals from 15 matches (a pathetic return for a club that once produced prolific scorers like Moses Chunga,
Cuthbert Malajila and David George) and struggling Kwekwe United, who anchor the log with six goals.
Despite having former Soccer Star of the Year finalists Brian Muza and Michael Charamba — two talented strikers capable of unlocking any defence — the problem persists. Even the removal of Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi as strikers coach has done little to remedy the issue, despite the team seemingly boasting a strong squad with depth in all departments.
To their credit, Chicken Inn does possess the fifth-best defence in the league, bolstered by the towering presence of Itai Mabhunu and Mpumelelo Bhebhe, whom national selectors inexplicably continue to overlook. Donovan Bernard also remains one of the safest pairs of gloves in the league. For Chicken Inn, a morale-boosting glut of goals is seemingly all that’s needed to turn their fortunes around.
However, they face a formidable opponent in Ngezi Platinum, former league champions and one of the clubs in the league with a squad seemingly assembled for African continental competition. Ngezi also benefits from the astute tactical guidance of coach Takesure Chiragwi, who has proven his mettle since taking the helm.
Meanwhile, Highlanders should brace for fireworks in Mutare against Manica Diamonds, who currently sit ninth. Bosso were recently stunned by a polished Simba Bhora side, coached by Joel Luphahla, suffering a 3-2 defeat at Barbourfields Stadium. This loss continues their seemingly unabated freefall, attributed by many to an average squad of players, perceived to be small in frame and ambition, seemingly lacking the zeal that truly matches the weight of the club’s badge.
Ironically, Highlanders have been one of the best attacking teams in the league with 17 goals, placing them third behind log leaders MWOS and Simba Bhora (19 goals apiece), and just ahead of fourth-placed Midlands team TelOne (18 goals).
While their Bulawayo neighbours are suffering from a goals drought, Highlanders have been primarily let down by their porous defence, particularly the perceived over-reliance on Raphael Pitisi. Many believe this defensive vulnerability is the core reason why Bosso aren’t currently challenging for the title. Key defenders like Arthur Ndlovu, Andrew Mbeba, Talent, Malvern Hativagoni and Brian Mlotshwa have seemingly failed to provide the reliable cover that Peter Muduhwa and Mbongeni Ndlovu offered under former coach, Brito Baltemar.
The Highlanders defence appears to be missing a commanding leader capable of effectively deploying his troops, along with two complementary anchormen and attacking midfielders adept at threading killer passes. Instead, players like Mckinnon Mushore, Prince Ndlovu, and the “dumpy-sized” Mafios Chiweta often engage in unproductive dribbling. Given their individual skill, Bosso should be winning more free-kicks and penalties from being brought down in dangerous areas.
With US$1 million from benefactor Wicknell Chivayo guaranteed, many believe the technical team and executive have a golden opportunity to seek out players, who will genuinely strengthen the team. There’s a strong sentiment that numerous bigger and better players from the Zifa Southern Region League could fundamentally change the fortunes of both Highlanders and Chicken Inn in the second half of the season.
In other key fixtures: Log leaders MWOS will face a stern test on Thursday when they take on a revived Caps United at Ngoni Stadium. MWOS remains unbeaten in 15 matches and are playing exceptionally good football, while Caps United seems to have renewed sting under new coach Ian Bakala, who has guided them to two consecutive wins.
Simba Bhora are set to clash with Bikita Minerals, a team that appears to be an easy pick for a full set of points at Wadzanayi Stadium on Wednesday.
Finally, can Greenfuel stop Scottland at Greenfuel Arena on Wednesday afternoon? Scottland, last year’s Zifa Northern Region champions, boast a strong squad and are among the favourites for the title, promising an exciting match.
Wednesday:
TelOne vs ZPC Kariba (Ascot Stadium), Herentals vs FC Platinum (Rufaro Stadium), Simba Bhora vs Bikita Minerals (Wadzanayi Stadium), Manica Diamonds vs Highlanders (Sakubva Stadium), Chicken Inn vs Ngezi Platinum Stars (Luveve Stadium), Greenfuel vs Scottland (Greenfuel Arena)
Thursday:
Dynamos vs Yadah (Rufaro Stadium), MWOS vs Caps United (Ngoni Stadium), Kwekwe United vs Triangle United (Bata Stadium)
