Everyone is feeling the heat: Chicken Inn

CHICKEN INN FC’s title credentials will be put to test when they make a short trip to Zvishavane for a date with defending champions FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.

The GameCocks will be hoping to carry the form they had before the break into the game against the platinum miners.

Before the break, Chicken Inn impressively beat log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-0, Black Rhinos 1-0, before proceeding to a 3-0 victory over ZPC Kariba the National Sports Stadium. They have 21 points, two behind Ngezi Platinum.

FC Platinum are on position four, with the same points as Chicken Inn.

Chicken Inn coach Prince Matore is of the view that the break has not affected his side’s form.

“I cannot comment much on the effects of the break because we only had a one week inactive break and we were back in training. So we cannot say the break affected or changed anything. We can only see after the game if the break has had any negative effects on the team. Everyone at the top is feeling the heat. We have to just keep on winning points and stay within the chasing pack then see what happens,” said Matore.

He predicts a tough game against FC Platinum.

“It is going to be a tough match. What is important is we have prepared well for the game so that we get something out of it. We have been training on all aspects of the game which is our defensive and offensive play,” said Matore

On his side’s mid-season transfer window plans Matore said:

“I am happy with the squad but if a special player is available we will get him. We would want to bring in perhaps a midfielder and an attacker.”

In the previous season, in a first leg match that was played at Mandava Stadium, FC Platinum edged Gamecocks 2-1.

In the reverse leg which was played at Luveve Stadium on 2 July 2022, Pure Platinum Play maintained their dominance as they handed Chicken Inn a 3-0 home defeat.

From a possible 60 points, FC Platinum have managed to collect 35 points from Gamecocks, that is 16 at Mandava Stadium and 19 at Luveve Stadium.

On the other hand, Matore’s men have collected 17 points from the platinum miners -seven in Bulawayo and 10 in Zvishavane.