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The match is one of four matches lined up for today following a decision to move the Caps United and Quelaton match from today to Monday as they cannot use the National Sports Stadium which has been booked for other events.
“The stadium has been booked for other events hence the change,” said PSL chief executive officer, Kennedy Ndebele.
Tomorrow high-riding Highlanders play host to Monomotapa while Hwange will be at home to Black Mambas. Shabanie Mine’s match against Dynamos will now be played on Wednesday at Maglas Stadium as the Harare giants are involved in a Caf Champions League second round second leg encounter against Esperance at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
This has given rise to speculation that the PSL wants to cash in on the high-profile Highlanders versus Dynamos match and will most probably slot it on 25 May.
Away from the speculation, the “Gamecocks” return to the field after suffering their first loss of the season in six games when they fell 1-0 to Hardbody at Ascot Stadium in Gweru in a controversially handled match by an unfit Masvingo-based referee Masakadza Makonese.
Their quest for a quick recovery has however been dealt a severe blow following injuries to right back Brighton Dube, central defence kingpin and skipper Herbert Dick and left linkman Canaan Nkomo.
Head coach Adam Ndlovu is a worried man even though he says he has some replacements.
“Our training went on well and we are ready for the soldiers but our only worry is the injury to Dick, Canaan and Brighton although replacements are there,” said Ndlovu.
In the absence of Dick, Ndlovu and his assistant, Mandla Mpofu will now bank on Moses Jackson and Felix Chindugwe.
Kudakwashe Mahachi, called up to the senior national team will pull the strings in midfield.
The replacements have to prove their worth especially now when the team is coming from a morale shattering defeat that saw them being displaced from top spot by Highlanders.
“We lost but I feel the boys played well and as such there will be no tactical changes to our approach of the game. The only change that could be there is change of personnel, otherwise everything else is fine,” said Ndlovu.
A win for Chicken Inn will propel them to the top of the standings, at least for 24 hours until the final whistle at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
A rare senior national team call up for Njabulo Nyoni, an April Goalkeeper of the Month winner will be a big morale booster for both the player and the rest of his teammates with the win set to come as a huge relief, after the team picked up just a single point in its last two matches.
Fixtures:
Today: Chicken Inn v Buffaloes (Luveve); Motor Action v Hardbody (Motor Action Sports Club); Gunners v Blue Rangers (La-Farge ); Harare City v FC Platinum (Gwanzura);
Tomorrow: Highlanders v Monomotapa (Barbourfields); Hwange v Black Mambas (Colliery)
Monday: CAPS United v Quelaton (National Sports Stadium)
Wednesday: Shabanie Mine v Dynamos (Maglas)
Online Reporter