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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
PREMIER Soccer League (PSL) leaders Chicken Inn have promised to dismantle Caps United when they square off in the reverse fixture at Luveve Stadium this afternoon.
A brace by Leonard Fiyado saw the Green Machine shocking the Gamecocks 2-0 at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday.
It was Fiyado’s second goal that irked Chicken Inn’s gaffer Joey Antipas, whose post-match comments have landed him in trouble with the PSL. The Caps United striker scored from what appeared to be an offside position and Antipas mocked the referee in his post-match interview by “congratulating” the match officials for aiding Makepekepe’s victory.
He claimed the referee denied his team a clear penalty, which he believed could have changed the complexion of the game.
Today Chicken Inn have a chance to turn the tables and a bullish Antipas is confident his charges will smash their opponents.
“We’re up against a difficult opponent and we’re ready to turn the tables. That defeat is water under the bridge and we’ve to rise to the challenge. If they’re coming here thinking they’ll have an easy walk in the park, then they’ve to think again because we’re going to fight for victory, and a big win is what we want,” said Antipas.
The Gamecocks will be without dependable right back Passmore Bernard, who is suspended, the injured George Majika and Devine Lunga, who has a long-term injury.
The Chicken Inn defence will depend on Moses Jackson, who will partner Lawrence Mhlanga who missed last weekend’s game due to national team commitments.
Mhlanga, captain Danny Phiri and striker Edmore Chirambadare were in Comoros for a Chan qualifier.
Chirambadare, the league’s top scorer with eight goals, spent the past week in South Africa trying his luck with Bidvest Wits. He was expected to arrive in Bulawayo last night and would be assessed this morning.
“We’ll see if he’s fit enough to play. If he’s tired, we won’t force him to play. We’d rather rest him so that we use him for upcoming games,” said Antipas.
Veteran Clemence Matawu and Phiri are expected to pull the strings for Chicken Inn in midfield, while Mitchell Katsairo and David Temwanjira would be entrusted with banging in the goals.
Impressive goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, who has only conceded 10 goals in 15 games, will be the last man in a defence marshalled by Jackson and also comprises Mhlanga, Brian Mbiriri and Guide Goddard.
Caps United are aware of Chicken Inn’s potency and will exercise extreme caution.
“I’ll be honest, we’re expecting a backslash tomorrow (today). They played better than us in the first leg, but we managed to defend well and use our chances. They’re clearly favourites in this match because pound for pound, they’ve better players than us and have an experienced coach in Antipas. We’re comfortable with the underdog tag and because of that, we’re not under pressure at all. We’ll compete for maximum points,” said Caps coach Mark Mathe.
He is depending on skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi, Fiyado, Leonard Tsipa, Stephen Makatuka, Dylan Chivandire and Joel Ngodzo to lead the fight for maximum points.
Meanwhile, Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu has promised to attack Triangle United from the onset when the two teams meet at Gibbo Stadium in the Lowveld tomorrow.
“There’s no point in us sitting back. If they say they’ll attack us, we might as well punch them back,” said Mafu.
The two sides played a 1-1 stalemate at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday.
Skipper Erick Mudzingwa and striker Obidiah Tarumbwa are suspended for the match after accumulating three yellow cards each. Triangle will be without Praise Tonha and Charles Rukwanhi.
Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu said: “At home it’ll be different. We’re very offensive at home and the least that we’ve scored is just a goal.”
Tomorrow, How Mine welcome Buffaloes at Luveve Stadium while Hwange make a long trip to the capital to face defending champions Dynamos.
Fixtures
Today: Chicken Inn v Caps United (Luveve, 3PM SuperSport), Harare City v Flame Lily (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava)
Tomorrow: Whawha v Dongo Sawmill (Ascot), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro), Triangle United v Highlanders (Gibbo), How Mine v Buffaloes (Luveve, 3PM SuperSport)
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