Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN a weekend of high stakes and heightened tension, Chicken Inn must dig deep against a resurgent Bikita Minerals, while Dynamos are summoned to explain themselves before the Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary hammer, all as fans gear up for the second half of the season.
Joey Antipas and his Chicken Inn side head to the Lowveld this Saturday for a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Week 18 clash that could determine their survival trajectory. The match against unpredictable Bikita Minerals takes place at Gibbo Stadium, and for the Gamecocks, the pressure is immense.
Fresh from a goalless derby draw against Highlanders at Barbourfields, Chicken Inn are floundering in 14th place with 17 points from 16 matches, just three wins, eight draws and five losses to show for their campaign so far. Their opponents, Bikita Minerals, edged Manica Diamonds 1-0 in their last fixture and sit 13th with 19 points. Crucially, they’ve lost only once in their last five games.
Antipas is under no illusions.
“It’s a tight fixture for us. Bikita have been doing well, they’ve built a decent team and we know it won’t be easy. But we’re up for it. We’ve picked up some form recently, and I’m happy there are no injuries or suspensions in the squad,” said the veteran coach.
The first leg meeting between the two sides ended in a goalless draw, setting the stage for what should be a fierce battle at Gibbo.
Elsewhere, change is also in the air at Highlanders, who begin life without Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu after the club parted ways with him on Monday. Highlanders host tricky newcomers MWOS at Barbourfields on Sunday in what promises to be a fascinating tactical duel.
On Saturday, there will be a potentially explosive encounter at Mandava Stadium when defending champions Simba Bhora face off against former kings FC Platinum in a top-of-the-table scrap.
While the title race simmers, controversy continues to bubble around Dynamos, who face a disciplinary hearing following the dramatic abandonment of their match against FC Platinum last weekend. The match was called off with the scores tied at 1-1 after DeMbare players stormed off the pitch in protest over a penalty decision.
The PSL has formally charged Dynamos with causing the abandonment of the fixture and exhibiting ungentlemanly conduct.
“Dynamos FC is being charged with causing the abandonment of a match and ungentlemanly conduct by the team’s technical officials,” confirmed PSL communications and media liaison, officer Kudzai Bare.
Head coach Saul Chaminuka, is at the centre of the storm, facing additional charges of inciting disruption, causing abandonment, and making potentially damaging public statements.
“His charges include disturbing the normal proceedings of a match, ungentlemanly conduct, and issuing reckless statements likely to bring the game, sponsors, the League, Zifa, Caf, or Fifa into disrepute,” added Bare.
Chaminuka defended the decision to walk off, saying they intended to register their discontent over what he termed “unfair officiating.”
This isn’t the first time a club has been hauled before the league’s disciplinary board in recent weeks. On May 23, Chicken Inn’s match against Scottland FC was also abandoned following protests over a last-minute penalty.
That decision came after a volley from Scottland captain Walter Musona struck Gamecocks defender Dominic Jaricha, allegedly on the arm, sparking furious protests from Chicken Inn players. The situation quickly escalated, forcing match officials and security to intervene.
“The charges against Chicken Inn include disorderly conduct, failure to comply with lawful orders, disturbing the normal proceedings of a match, and causing the abandonment of a match,” said the PSL.
Midfielder, George Majika has also been singled out for disorderly behaviour and will appear before the league’s disciplinary committee today.
With off-field drama spilling into headlines, fans can turn their attention to a weekend of enthralling live football action, brought to you by ZTN Prime, Channel 294 on DStv.
On Saturday, Yadah host Manica Diamonds at The Heart Stadium in Waterfalls, Harare, with live broadcast coverage kicking off at 2.30pm.
Then on Sunday, it’s a green showdown as CAPS United welcome GreenFuel to Rufaro Stadium, also live on ZTN Prime from 2.30pm. Don’t miss the action as the PSL season reaches boiling point.
PSL Week 18 Fixtures
Saturday
TelOne v Herentals College (Ascot Stadium); ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga Stadium); FC Platinum v Simba Bhora (Mandava Stadium); Yadah v Manica Diamonds (Heart Stadium) – Live on ZTN Prime; Bikita Minerals v Chicken Inn (Gibbo Stadium); Ngezi Platinum Stars v Kwekwe United (Baobab Stadium)
Sunday
Highlanders v MWOS (Barbourfields Stadium); CAPS United v GreenFuel (Rufaro Stadium) – Live on ZTN Prime; Triangle v Scottland (Gibbo Stadium) — @FungaiMuderere
