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CHICKEN INN resume their march towards the Premier Soccer League title today against new boys Dongo Sawmills at Luveve Stadium with coach Joe Antipas indicating that their main objective is to consolidate top position.
The Premiership season resumes this afternoon after a two-week break that paved way for national team commitments. Bulawayo football fans have an action-packed weekend beginning with today’s match followed by tomorrow’s battle in which How Mine host Hwange at Luveve Stadium.
How Mine will be without Charles Sibanda, who is still admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital after being injured in a car crash.
Across town, new kids on the block Tsholotsho and Flame Lily will fight for crucial points at White City Stadium.
While other teams would be hoping to steer away from the murky waters of relegation, Chicken Inn have the chance to open an eight-point lead at the top with a victory today.
Chicken Inn go into today’s game with a five-point lead at the top of the league table and a win will increase pressure on the chasing pack.
“We’re definitely looking forward to the match and maintaining our hold at the top,” said Antipas.
He is wary of the danger of underestimating Dongo Sawmills despite the Rusape-based side having picked up just seven points in their 13 matches.
“It’ll be important for us not to underestimate our opponents. We need to have a first class attitude,” he said, adding that his boys had a clean bill of health, except for Devine Lunga who was injured playing for the national team last Sunday.
With the deadly pair of leading scorer Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchelle Katsvairo well supported by a mobile midfield engineered by Clemence Matawu and Danny “Deco” Phiri, the Game Cocks could prove too rampant for the visitors to contain.
Tomorrow at White City, relegation haunted sides Tsholotsho and Flame Lily will be hoping for a change in fortunes.
Lizwe Sweswe, the iZiqholo zeZhwane coach yesterday said he was looking for a positive resumption in the league and that the two-week break had revitalised his players’ mental strength.
“It’s our hope that we’ll resume on a positive note and get out of the relegation zone. I’ve no injuries as those that had knocks before the break have fully recovered,” said Sweswe.
He also brushed off suggestions that his side could be relegated in its debut topflight season. “I’m a guy who always believes; someone who always looks ahead positively. Actually I can dream of winning the league title than being relegated. The word relegation doesn’t exist in my vocabulary,” he said.
A full house is expected for the Gweru bragging rights when Whawha entertain Chapungu in a city derby tomorrow.
Chapungu gaffer, John Nyikadzino refused to read much into the previous derbies and promised a good game for Gweru football fans.
“Derbies are very tricky and it’ll be an interesting game for all Gweru fans. We’re approaching the game with caution. However, we would love to come out with maximum points and I’m confident that my boys will come to the party,” said Nyikadzino.
The airmen lost their last two matches before the Premiership’s two-week break.
Chapungu lost 0-2 to Harare City to surrender their eight-match unbeaten run followed by a 1 – 2 defeat by Chicken Inn.
Whawha technical adviser, Lloyd Mutasa will be not be on the bench for the game after being sent off in their 0-3 loss to Buffaloes in their last league match.
Luke Petros-Jukulile has been tasked with guiding the prison wardens and the former goal poacher expressed optimism that his charges will collect maximum points to climb to safety.
“Derbies are always difficult to predict but I’m positive that we’re going to win this one. We’ve prepared well for the game and I don’t see anything which will stop us getting maximum points,” said Petros-Jukulile.
Legendary coach Sunday Chidzambwa could have a nightmarish return to the local Premiership when he leads ZPC Kariba to Gibbo Stadium for a date with Triangle.
Triangle’s Zambian coach, Kelvin Kaindu has turned Gibbo into a fortress with visiting teams leaving the Lowveld empty-handed.
Chidzambwa took over from reigning Coach of the Year Saul Chaminuka, and will be assisted by former ZPC Kariba manager Partson Ndabambi.
Fixtures
Today: FC Platinum v Buffaloes (Mandava Stadium), Chicken Inn v Dongo Sawmills (Luveve Stadium), Harare City v Caps United (Rufaro Stadium)
Tomorrow: Dynamos v Highlanders (Rufaro Stadium SS9), Whawha v Chapungu (Ascot Stadium), How Mine v Hwange (Luveve Stadium), Triangle v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo Stadium), Tsholotsho v Flame Lily (White City Stadium)
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