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The match is one of four league matches set for this afternoon with another Bulawayo side, struggling Quelaton on the road to Harare City at Gwanzura Stadium while problem boys Motor Action play host to Blue Rangers at Motor Action Sports Club with Black Mambas entertaining 2008 champions Monomotapa at Morris Depot.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders will be inactive in the PSL after their blockbuster match against bitter rivals Dynamos was postponed due to the Harare giants’ continental engagement.
DeMbare play Tunisian giants Esperance in the Caf Champions League second round first leg match in Tunisia this afternoon.
Bosso though will be in action next Tuesday when they take on FC Platinum in their re-arranged Week Two match at Mandava Stadium.
Under Tendai Chikuni in the absence of head coach Rahman Gumbo who is attending a high-level coaching clinic in Harare together with his counterparts, FC Platinum will come to the City of Kings knowing full well that any other result will not be accepted by the high demanding management back home in Zvishavane, having collected just two points out of a possible six in their last two games.
Last year the two teams drew 1-1.
Last week at Mandava Stadium, the miners let go a two-goal lead to eventually draw 2-2 with Shabanie Mine, results which showed other teams that they can win against FC platinum despite it being a star-studded team.
Fatigue is another factor that could work against FC Platinum as they have played too many games within a short space of time and been involved in intense travelling and Dick is aware of that.
“On paper those guys are very good but on the field of play I think it’s a different issue altogether. There have stars yes but to me it means nothing,” said Dick.
He said Chicken Inn are two points clear at the top because of merit and would want to consolidate their position.
“We have not conceded a goal because we defend as a team, it’s not a Herbert Dick job alone or the four men in defence. FC Platinum will obviously want to dent our good record but we are ready to defend the match and the record. Chicken Inn assistant coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu, who will be in charge of the team in place of Adam Ndlovu who is in Harare has already said he was not under any pressure at all as he had been there before and their preparations have gone on well.
“I have a clean bill of health and we are taking this game like any other, no special preparation for it. We are not putting ourselves under any pressure at all even though we respect our opponents because there are one of the big sides in the country,” said Mpofu.
Dick’s defence of Guide Goddard, Brian Mbiriri and Moses Jackson has to be on the lookout for the lethal boots of Charles Sibanda who will be supported by Ali Sadiki while in defence, Chikuni has the tried and tested former Highlanders skipper Gilbert Banda and the hardtackling Norman Togara.
The duo though, has to worry about Evans Chikwaikwai, Thomas Chimenya and Daniel Zokoto.
Tomorrow, Zvishavane soccer lovers will witness a second Midlands derby in as many weeks when Shabanie Mine play host to Gweru based giant killers, Hardbody in a match that can go either way.
The Chinda Boys will be without Caleb Masocha (hamstring), former Highlanders striker Tarisai Rukanda (ankle) and Raymond Sibanda, formerly with FC Platinum, who also has an ankle injury.
Stand-in coach, Arnold Jani, however said he would not lose sleep over the absence of the trio as he has enough players in his books.
At the Colliery, Hwange will be without home boy, Malvern Longwe due to an ankle injury as they play host to Mutare side Buffaloes.
Technical Manager Tennant Chilumba said besides Longwe, all the other players were available for selection and morale was high despite the 2-0 shock defeat by Hardbody last Sunday.
“The defeat shook us a little bit but the boys have managed to move on and are now focused on the next game. Our objective to lift the title this year has not changed,” said Chilumba.
He said the reported ugly scenes that erupted soon after their defeat last week will not dampen determination to bring the league title across Lukosi River for the first time.
“Supporters are always hard to please and there will always talk but I have a job to do and will do it to the best of my ability. Hwange is no longer a small club that plays to be in top eight or top four, we are playing to lift the title and our supporters will eventually enjoy our achievement,” said Chilumba.
A leadership crisis ridden Caps United travel to Larfarge Stadium to face Gunners. The club is in a leadership turmoil pitting former player Lloyd Chitembwe and expatriate coach Sean Connor.
Following reports last week that Chitembwe had been given full responsibility to take charge of the team with Connor being elevated to the ceremonial post of technical adviser, the Irishman made a turnaround on Thursday and said he was infact in charge of the team.
Makepekepe have collected just two points out of a possible nine this season and their championship aspirations will soon be another dream if they don’t start collecting maximum points.
Fixtures
Saturday: Black Mambas v Monomotapa, Chicken Inn v FC Platinum, Motor Action v Blue Rangers, Harare City v Quelaton
Sunday: Gunners v Caps United, Shabanie Mine v Hardbody, Hwange v Buffaloes, Highlanders v Dynamos
Online Reporter