Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere and Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WOUNDED Chicken Inn face one of their toughest assignments of the season when they host a resurgent CAPS United in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Barbourfields this afternoon.
The Gamecocks head into the fixture under immense pressure after going four consecutive matches without victory, a run that has seen them slide into the bottom half of the table and drift away from the leading pack.
Their latest outing ended in a frustrating goalless draw against Agama, extending concerns over a blunt attack that has struggled to convert chances.
Standing in their way is a CAPS United side that has spent much of the campaign among the league’s front-runners.
Although the Green Machine recently experienced a dip in form, club president Farai Jere has maintained confidence in the team’s ability to remain competitive in the title race.
The contrast in fortunes adds extra intrigue to the contest.
Chicken Inn desperately need maximum points to halt their slide and reignite hopes of climbing up the log standings, while CAPS United know victory could strengthen their position near the summit of the table. Current league data places Chicken Inn in 11th position, with CAPS United among the top sides in the championship race.
History suggests a closely fought affair. Meetings between the two sides have often been tight and low-scoring, with neither team enjoying clear dominance over the other in recent years. For Chicken Inn coach Tonderai Ndiraya and his charges, the match presents an opportunity to silence growing criticism and prove they can still compete with the league’s heavyweights. Another setback, however, would deepen concerns over a campaign that has so far failed to gain momentum.
CAPS United, meanwhile, arrive in Bulawayo knowing that title-chasing teams cannot afford to drop points against opponents battling for consistency.
With both sides needing a positive result for different reasons, all signs point to a fiercely contested encounter.
Ngezi coach down-plays title talk
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa has played down championship expectations despite his side emerging as one of the surprise packages of the season.
The Mhondoro-based side have lost just one of their opening 16 league matches and remain firmly in the title conversation, a remarkable achievement considering the club is operating under a FIFA transfer ban that has forced them to rely heavily on youth development and internal resources.
The Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Mutiwekuziwa has praised the character and resilience shown by his largely youthful squad.
“With the situation (FIFA-ban) that we are currently in and also coming up with such a competitive performance that we are showing in the field of play week in, week out, I am happy.
“Looking at how they (players) have played the 16 games of the Castle Lager Premier League and the character that they have shown. I am very happy and very confident that they can take it to the world.
“So, it is going to be up to us or to the team to compete for the championship with such solid competition that they are showing week in and week out.”
Despite acknowledging his side’s competitiveness, Mutiwekuziwa was quick to caution against placing the burden of a title challenge on a squad dominated by inexperienced players.
“I wouldn’t want to say exactly that because most of the players that I have are upcoming players.
“I have only five senior players in the team, which is a minimum number to chase for the championship.
“The integration of the young guys who have less experience in the Premier League have actually made a very good integration that can compete normally,” he said.
The former Herentals coach believes securing a place among the league’s top teams would represent a significant achievement under the circumstances, insisting a top-four finish remains the club’s primary objective rather than a title charge.
“I think for the top four. I would say we can go for the top four as the target or as the objective that we want as a club that we have been achieving in such a situation.
“If they get the championship medal, I think it is a bonus for me,” he said.
Fixtures
Today: ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga), MWOS v Manica Diamonds (Ngoni), FC Platinum v Hardrock (Mandava), Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Barbourfields), Simba Bhora v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Wadzanayi), Dynamos v Hunters (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Scottland v Triangle (Rufaro), Highlanders v Agama (Barbourfields)
