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Fungai Muderere
IN the wake of watching their team post a series of uninspiring results of late, Chicken Inn executives have demanded that the team should bounce back to winning ways as a matter of urgency.
After 18 rounds of play, statistics are not pointing to the good for games, who last weekend were held to a nil all draw by CAPS United at Luveve Stadium.
Prior to their game against Makepekepe, the Simbisa Brands bankrolled side was floored 2-1 by Bikita Minerals in Week 16 and drew nil all against Herentals in their Week 17 fixture.
In their last five games, Gamecocks have drawn thrice and lost twice meaning they have managed to collect three points from a possible 15.
From 18 games, the Xolani “Lolo” Ndlovu captained the side, which is arguably one of the best-financed outfits in the country, the club has posted five wins, nine stalemates and four defeats. They sit on position eight, they have amassed 24 points from a possible 54.
It is a development that has raised many eyebrows in the Gamecocks family and ahead of their Saturday’s derby tie against struggling city neighbours Arenel Movers at Luveve Stadium, club secretary-general Tavengwa Hara said: “These are not statistics that we are used to or situations that we should be forced to get used to. We have set ourselves standards which we are recognised with as brand Chicken Inn FC. This is a bar which we should go back to as a matter of urgency and the road to or way to that bar should start now.
“We know what we mean. We just have to go back to winning ways very soon starting from this Saturday. As we speak, the Chibuku Super Cup games are beckoning, we have never got into the cup’s campaign as an unseeded team. Everyone needs to shake up and get away from their comfort zone,” said Hara.
The first leg between the two teams ended in a goalless draw.
Interestingly, Arenel Movers, who are smarting from a 1-0 away defeat they suffered at the hands of defending league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and are at the bottom of the table with 11 points, have ex Gamecocks assistant coach Farai Tawachera, as their head mentor.
Former coach Philani Ncube is assistant coach at Arenel.
Tawachera, a good reader of the game, reckoned: “It’s a derby there is not much we can change as coaches. The players decide these kind of games largely because they know each other well. Chicken Inn is a big team and we respect them. We will see how it plays out on the pitch come match day.”
In other matches set for this weekend, high-riding FC Platinum will welcome second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars at Zvishavane’s Mandava Stadium in what promises to be a top-drawer match.
Highlanders will meet equally buoyant Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Manica Diamonds will have a date with TelOne at Sakubva Stadium while Hwange entertain Dynamos at Colliery Stadium.
CAPS United will fight it out against Herentals at Rufaro Stadium.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Week 19 Fixtures
Saturday
Yadah v Bikita Minerals (Heart Stadium), Green Fuel v Simba Bhora (Greenfuel Arena), ZPC Kariba v Chegutu Pirates (Nyamhunga Stadium), FC Platinum v Ngezi Platinum (Mandava Stadium) Arenel Movers’ v Chicken Inn (Luveve Stadium)
Sunday
Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery Stadium), Highlanders v Bulawayo Chiefs (Barbourfields Stadium), Manica Diamonds v TelOne (Sakubva), CAPS v Herentals (Rufaro Stadium)- @FungaiMuderere
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