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The Premier Soccer League has left 25 and 26 May free to allow the Benjani Mwaruwari Testimonial set for Africa Day to proceed without domestic league counter-attractions.
Chicken Inn are sixth on the log with 11 points from seven matches, having won three, drawn twice and lost the other two.
The Gamecocks last tasted victory a month ago when they beat Blue Rangers 3-0 in Harare and they will be hoping to maintain their 100 percent capital city record that has seen them beating Caps United 2-0 in their second game of the season.
In their last three encounters, Chicken Inn were held to a 1-1 draw at home by FC Platinum, went on to lose 1-0 at Ascot Stadium to Hardbody and last weekend they suffered their first home defeat at the hands of Buffaloes who beat them 1-0.
Despite going for three consecutive matches without a win, Chicken Inn’s head coach Adam Ndlovu was yesterday confident that they would fly past DeMbare on Sunday.
He conceded that it would be a tricky fixture but had faith in his players.
“Everyone has been working very hard and the fact that we are playing against a big club seems to have made all the players hungry for the game. The players know what is expected of them seeing that we have gone for three games without a victory.
“We have been working hard on our finishing which has let us down in the last few matches and I believe this weekend we are going to get it right and win against Dynamos,” said Ndlovu.
On paper, Chicken Inn have some of the best attacking players in the league in Thomas Chimenya, Evans Chikwaikwai, Daniel Zokoto, Leaneance “Qobho” Mpofu, Tendai Mukambi and Tendai Ndoro.
The onus is now on Ndlovu to assemble a squad that will manage to hold Dynamos and probably lead Chicken Inn to victory.
Ndlovu will be praying that his skipper Herbert Dick and defender Brighton Dube recover in time for the trip to Harare.
Exciting national Under-20 star Kuda Mahachi has been ruled out for the Dynamos game after picking a red card during the 1-0 loss to Buffaloes.
Other players that could carry the day for Chicken Inn include goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni who received a national team call-up last week, Guide Goddard, Felix Chindungwe, Brian Mbiriri, Walter Mukanga and Danny “Deco” Phiri.
However, DeMbare who were booted out of the Caf Champions League backed by their vociferous fans will certainly be hard to beat at Rufaro.
Chicken Inn should watch out for David Kutyauripo, Denver Mukamba, Murape Murape and Roderick Mutuma.
Bulawayo’s Quelaton also have a tricky away tie to Monomotapa.
Both teams go into the weekend match coming from defeats and they will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways.
Monomotapa were beaten 3-0 by Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium while Quelaton lost 1-0 to Caps United.
Quelaton are swimming in the murky relegation waters with three points from seven outings and if they still hope to be in the top-flight next season, they better start picking up points.
They should brace for a good battle against a Monomotapa outfit that has hard running Tawanda Nyamandwe, Kuda Musharu, Tendai Ngulube, slippery Ronald Chitiyo and former national Under-20 duo of Knowledge Machona and Russel Madamombe.
Their manager Mike Dube said they would fight for a positive result in Harare on Saturday.
“It will be a tough game against Monomotapa but we are also gearing up for what lies ahead. In the game against Caps United we created a number of chances but failed to convert and it is out hope that we will get a positive result in Harare,” said Dube.
Quelaton’s coach Farai Sibanda is likely to bank on Innocent Kutsanzira, Eddie Nkulungo, Mpumelelo “Makwe” Moyo, Tedius Mugumanja and Amani Makhiwa.
Fixtures
WEEK 8:
Saturday: Black Mambas v Shabanie Mine (Morris Depot), FC Platinum v Gunners (Mandava), Monomotapa v Quelaton (Rufaro), Blue Rangers v Caps United (Gwanzura)
Sunday: Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Hardbody v Harare City (Gweru), Buffaloes v Motor Action (Sakubva), Highlanders v Hwange (Barbourfields)
WEEK 9:
Wednesday 23 May: Quelaton v Blue Rangers (Luveve), Hwange v Monomotapa (Colliery), Motor Action v Dynamos (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas)
Thursday 24 May: Caps United v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Black Mambas (Luveve), Gunners v Hardbody (Lafarge).
Online Reporter