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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
DEFENDING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, Dynamos, make their last 2015 season trip to Bulawayo tomorrow hoping to collect maximum points in their match against pacesetters Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium. The Harare giants have never beaten Chicken Inn in a league match played in Bulawayo since the Gamecocks’ promotion into the topflight in 2011.
The two teams are meeting for the fifth time at Barbourfields tomorrow with Chicken Inn having won once in 2012 when they registered a 1-0 scoreline while the other four encounters have been stalemates. DeMbare have declared that they want to cap their last visit to the City of Kings with a victory and keep their title hopes alive.
Dynamos are third on the table with 42 points, seven behind leaders Chicken Inn. DeMbare are aware that a defeat could effectively end their hopes of landing a record fifth consecutive title. “Everyone wants a win. We are preparing for a win in Bulawayo. The guys are raring to go and have been working hard throughout the week. We don’t have any injuries,” said Dynamos manager Richard Chihoro.
“Chicken Inn are a good side, they’re not at the top because of luck it’s because they are a good team. However, we’re not worried about the fact that we’ve not beaten them in Bulawayo. There is always a first time for everything and who knows, this visit could see us getting our first win in Bulawayo.” The Harare giants will look up to the attacking trio of Takesure Chinyama, Rodrick Mutuma and pint sized Ronald Chitiyo to unlock the gamecocks’ defence.
Young Warriors’ goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva who was Dynamos’ hero in last weekend’s Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final match against FC Platinum will be trusted to guard DeMbare’s goal. Mukuruva’s wish would be for his defenders Augustine Mbara, Sydney Linyama and Ocean Mushure to protect him by shutting out Chicken Inn’s attacking duo of Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchell Katsvairo.
The battle is likely to be won and lost in the midfield. Chicken Inn’s midfield is likely to be made up of captain Danny “Deco” Phiri, veteran Clemence Matawu, another seasoned player Bhekimpilo Ncube and Raphael Kutinyu who returned from the Young Warriors’ African Games tour. Midfielders vying for starting places at Dynamos are Stephen Alimenda, former Chicken Inn’s Walter Mukanga, Chitiyo, Obey Mwerahari and Carlos Rusere.
Chicken Inn’s coach Joey Antipas said tomorrow’s game has a huge bearing in determining the title race. He, however, said his boys are fired up for Dynamos. “It’s a big game and playing defending champions is always a challenge. We’re ready for the game but we expect Dynamos to give us a good run. A victory for us will be a big boost to winning the title,” Antipas said.
Chicken Inn beat Dynamos 3-0 in the first leg played in Harare, a result that Antipas doesn’t want to talk about. “The first leg win is water under the bridge. This is a new game and Dynamos being Dynamos will want to revenge. We’ve to be mentally and tactically disciplined if we are to get a positive result,” said Antipas.
The Chicken Inn gaffer will have to juggle around his defence following suspension of usually reliable right back Passmore Bernard. Moses Jackson might be forced to play on the right side of defence, leaving Guide Goddard to partner Lawrence Mhlanga at central defence.
Brian Mbiriri will complete Chicken Inn’s backline.
Chicken Inn, Dynamos head-to-head
2011: Dynamos 1-0 Chicken Inn (1st leg); Chicken Inn 0-0 Dynamos (2nd leg)
2012: Dynamos 2-1 Chicken Inn (1st leg); Chicken Inn 1-0 Dynamos (2nd leg)
2013: Dynamos 1-1 Chicken Inn (1st leg); Chicken Inn 2-2 Dynamos (2nd leg)
2014: Chicken Inn 0-0 Dynamos (1st leg); Dynamos 1-1 Chicken Inn (2nd leg)
2015: Dynamos 0-3 Chicken Inn1st leg); Chicken Inn ?-? Dynamos (2nd leg).
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Fixtures
Today: Tsholotsho v FC Platinum (White City), Flame Lily v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro, 1PM SuperSport), Harare City v Triangle United (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport), Chapungu v Buffaloes (Ascot)
Tomorrow: Caps United v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SuperSport), Whawha v How Mine (Ascot), Dongo Sawmill v Hwange (Vengere), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)
Suspended PSL players: Passmore Bernard (Chicken Inn), Peter Muzondo (Triangle United), Vimbai Gibson Madamombe (Whawha), Livingstone Genti (Whawha), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum)
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