Defining fixtures for Bosso, Chicken Inn

BULAWAYO former Castle Lager championships sides Chicken Inn and Highlanders appear to have two midweek fixtures that could have a bearing to their title credentials.

Highlanders left the city for Shamva yesterday where they face star-studded Simba Bhora today while neighbours Chicken Inn appear to have a tough fixture against log leaders FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium tomorrow.

The two former championship-winning teams had a poor first round of the Premiership against a background where expectations were high on them to be among the top four.

Only two points separate Highlanders and Simba on the table and neither of them would want to drop any points in a race that FC Platinum is in control of at this stage.

Highlanders are fifth on the table with 32 points while Simba Bhora are third with 34 points.
Leaders FC Platinum are on 39 points.

Both teams are in top form ahead of their meeting today.
Simba Bhora is unbeaten in their last three matches, winning two and managing one stalemate.

Highlanders, on the other hand, are on a two-game winning streak, which saw them get identical 2-0 victories over Dynamos and Bulawayo Chiefs.

Simba Bhora coach, Tonderayi Ndiraya has predicted a tough encounter between the two teams.

“We always prepare to win, but we also understand that our opponents also want the same thing. What we need to do against Highlanders, is to apply ourselves fully.

“If we can give 100 percent effort, we will win the game. These are two top teams which are in good form, which makes this game likely to be a tightly contested encounter. One thing for sure is fans can be certain to watch an exciting game of football,” said Ndiraya.

The teams will be meeting for the fourth time since Simba Bhora joined the topflight league.
The miners were still homeless the last time they hosted Bosso and they won that game 3-0 at Baobab Stadium last season.

The first leg at Barboufields Stadium had ended in a 0-0 draw in 2023.
This season, Bosso won the first leg 1-0 at Barbourfileds Stadium with Melikhaya Ncube getting the solitary goal.
Kaindu and his men have a huge task at hand as no PSL team has won at the venue since it opened its doors for the elite league.

In other games to be played today, Bikita Minerals will play host to CAPS United at Sakubva Stadium while defending champions Ngezi Platinum will entertain ZPC Kariba at Baobab.

Bulawayo Chiefs will welcome Hwange at Luveve Stadium.
But another big fixture for tomorrow is the Luveve Stadium battle between hosts Chicken Inn and title-chasing FC Platinum.

Morale appeared high in the Chicken Inn camp yesterday as the technical team took the boys through their paces at Luveve.

All first, team players appeared in good health taking part in the club’s drills.
The Gamecocks who broke a seven-match winless streak beating troubled Arenel who “suspended” their coach on Monday evening 2-0, would want to continue with the winning ways. While the turf at Luveve is no longer as difficult to play on as before, it will still be home ground advantage that Chicken Inn will count on.

Coach Joey Antipas will count on his veterans Danny Phiri, George Majika, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Itai Mabunu and arguably Zimbabwe’s best goalkeeper, Donovan Bernard, to carry the day for them.

Norman Mapeza, the FC Platinum gaffer is a good tactician bolstered by a balanced squad, a majority of whom have never tasted league and cup glory and hence are hungry for success.

Lawrence Mhlanga, Brian Banda and Juan Mutudza and Davidson Marowa’s form could be the match decider.
In all, a good game of football looks on the deck.

Today
Bikita Minerals v CAPS United (Sakubva Stadium ), Herentals v Arenel Movers’ (Rufaro Stadium), Ngezi Platinum v ZPC Kariba (Baobab Stadium), Simba Bhora v Highlanders (Wadzanayi), TelOne v Greenfuel (Bata Stadium), Bulawayo Chiefs v Hwange (Luveve Stadium).

Tomorrow
Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve Stadium) Chegutu Pirates v Manica Diamonds (Baobab) Dynamos v Yadah (Rufaro Stadium).
—@innocentskizoe