Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira and Ricky Zililo, Sport Writers
THE odds are heavily stacked against Chicken Inn when they play host to Premier Soccer League leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars tomorrow at Luveve Stadium.
Looking at both their history and present form of the two teams, it is Ngezi who are expected to sail past their hosts.
The two teams have met 10 times in the league, with Chicken Inn winning two of those encounters while Ngezi have collected maximum points in four clashes. The rest of the matches have been stalemates.
Ngezi Platinum Stars were the last team to beat Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium on 3 September 2022 when they won the encounter 2-1 courtesy of goals by Tinotenda Murasiranwa and Delic Murimba.
Marlvin Whata got the consolation goal for the Gamecocks in that clash. This season, Takesure Chiragwi’s Ngezi tops the table with 17 points from four wins and five draws.
They are a point above Highlanders who will play their game in hand against Dynamos on Africa Day at Barbourfields Stadium.
Chicken Inn are in position eight with 12 points, the same number of points that Triangle United in position seven and ninth-on-the-table FC Platinum have, Chicken Inn can close the gap if they win against Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Gamecocks coach Prince Matore is not looking at statistics or history ahead of tomorrow’s clash but is rather focused on the upcoming game.
“Our focus is not on records but how we are going to tackle the match we are playing at home. Ngezi is a good team, they are playing well. This is a home game and we have to focus on our team and make sure we collect maximum points,” said Matore.
The Chicken Inn coach bemoaned his team’s failure to convert the scoring chances that they created.
Chicken Inn will be without Dominic Jaricha who has been given a week off following the death of his father.
Also ruled out from Chicken Inn is injured right back Arthur Chinda, while striker Clive Augusto is expected to recover from a flu bug in time to make the match-day squad.
With Jaricha out, Matore has Vincent Moyo, Itai Mabhunu and Nielson Ketala who can partner Mpumelelo Bhebhe at central defence. The Bhebhe-Jaricha partnership has been amazing.
Chicken Inn will bank on the experience of goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, skipper Xolani Ndlovu, attacking midfielder Michael Charamba, former national team box-to-box player Tafadzwa Kutinyu and last season’s Soccer Star of the Year finalist Brian Muza who scored 10 goals during the campaign to lead them against Ngezi.
Meanwhile, Chiragwi is demanding that his players be psychologically prepared for the encounter, adding they are targeting at maintaining their fine form.
The table toppers are unbeaten in 19 league matches stretching to last season.
“It’s a tricky encounter. They’re (Chicken Inn) a good team and have been together for long and are playing good football. The present results they are posting don’t mean they’re a bad side, they’ve been playing good football.
“It’s going to be very tough, we need to focus. A good team shows character when playing away.
“We haven’t lost a game away this season and need to keep the momentum. Consistency is key and I believe in my players, they know how it is to collect maximum points. I hope we will have a good day,” said Chiragwi.
Ngezi have a full squad complement, something that Chiragwi is grateful for.
Midfielders Leslie Kashitigu, Takunda Benhura, Elson Mweha, Walter Vuwa and Tinotenda Murasiranwa have been carrying Ngezi with distinction despite their young age. The quintet has been regular in Chiragwi’s side which seems to be having all the ingredients to fight for the championship.
Chiragwi has fused the young blood with a crop of tried and tested breeds that include goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, captain Qadr Amini, Kudzai Chigwida, Polite Moyo, Marvellous Mukumba and Gareth Madhake.
Moyo said as players they are up beat, with last weekend’s 2-0 win against the champions giving them an extra edge to keep fighting.
Online Reporter