adminGrace Chingoma Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn coach Joey Antipas has challenged his charges to wake up from their slumber and get things moving again when they make the trip to the capital for a date with CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The Gamecocks, who are winless in the last three matches, can be said to be underperforming if the strength of their squad is taken into account.
After all, they have Warriors midfielder Danny Phiri, Clement Matawu, Bhekimpilo Ncube and George Majika in their fold.
However, Phiri, who has since found his way into the national team, has not seen much action this season due a nagging knee injury.
Yesterday, Antipas said his players have realised that they slowly losing the plot and would need them to come out of their comfort zone.
“It is a tight game. CAPS United are riding quite high while we are going through turbulent waters.
“It is also a game needed to be won by both teams as we are all wounded, CAPS United from Dynamos defeat and us from ZPC Kariba and the fact that we have lost three games on the trot.
“We definitely need to come up with a strong game and win.
“The boys have been in the comfort zone for too long so we have to get away from that. We need to change the mentality and hope to recover.
“We have a team of good players but we have hit turbulent waters but I believe where there is bad patch, a good patch will eventually come.
“I give CAPS United the respect they deserve. They beat us here but now that we are playing away, we hope to do our best,” he said
Ramson Zhuwawo will miss the match through suspension while Phiri has been sidelined by injury.
CAPS United team manager Luis Maio is confident that the team will collect maximum points again from the Bulawayo side.
“We hope to do the same as the first round and I think we can put up a good performance. We lost to DeMbare but we are still a good team.
“Morale is good among the players, they know they have a job to do, that is continue to fight for the league title and win the game,” he said.
Elsewhere, the Midlands will have another derby at Mandava when FC Platinum host Chapungu this afternoon.
Kugona Kunenge Kudada coach Lloyd Mutasa has called on his charges to be consistent.
“I think it’s high time we should be consistent. We are getting closer to the finishing line with each game and I think if we get two or three wins in succession it will improve our position on the log standings.
“Our players know that we haven’t been consistent and once we get that right we will have a greater say going forward.
“We just added two players because we have too many injuries upfront. I believe it will give the youngsters competition,” said Mutasa.
The only unbeaten team this season, ZPC Kariba, welcome Hwange at Gwanzura this afternoon.
Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka wants his men to keep their feet on the ground.
“They should concentrate and try to keep it simple. We shouldn’t complicate the game for ourselves by getting too excited over what we have achieved so far.
“The season is still a long way to go and the games will be coming thick and fast in the second half.
“We need to know that every team that we play want to be the first team to beat us,” said Chaminuka.
Highlanders have a home tie against How Mine at Barbourfields tomorrow.
Fixtures
Today: ZPC Kariba v Hwange (Gwanzura, 3pm SS), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava).
Tomorrow: Caps United v Chicken Inn (National Sports Stadium, 3pm SS), Buffaloes v Shabanie (Sakubva), Highlanders v How Mine (Barbourfields), Black Rhinos v Dynamos (Rimuka), Triangle United v Bantu Rovers (Gibbo).
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