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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE soccer kings Chicken Inn would have to clear the hurdle posed by South African Premiership giants Mamelodi Sundowns when they make their maiden appearance in the Champions League in February next year.
The Gamecocks were last night handed an intriguing preliminary round match-up against Sundowns, with the Bulawayo side hosting the first leg scheduled for the weekend of February 12-14.
Chicken Inn will on the weekend of February 26-28 then travel to Pretoria to face the big-spending Brazilians, who have Warriors internationals Khama Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila on their playing books.
The Brazilians also have in their technical set-up former Warriors captains Peter Ndlovu and Esrom Nyandoro.
It is set to be a game that should draw interest from both sides of the Limpopo.
But before they can focus their attention on their potentially exciting clash with Sundowns, the Gamecoks have domestic affairs to settle at Barbourfields tomorrow, where they stand on the threshold of completing an historic league and cup double.
Chicken Inn face Highlanders in the Easycall Cup final in an-all Bulawayo showdown where victory will help them complete a remarkable season.
But their coach Joey Antipas says he can only expect a tough afternoon against Bosso tomorrow.
The Gamecocks, who have already bagged the biggest prize in the domestic football after winning the Castle Lager league title, are hoping to put the icing on the cake by claiming the eight-team tournament.
The spirits are high in the Gamecocks camp following last week’s 3-0 thumping of giants CAPS United in the semi-finals.
The stakes are enticing as well as winners are set to walk away with silverware and $80 000.
However, Antipas yesterday said they are not underestimating the challenge ahead of them.
“We are taking it in our stride. We have already achieved the biggest thing that any club would dream of, that is lifting the league title. So if we win this cup it will be bonus,” said Antipas.
“It’s our wish, however, to end the season on a high. It’s important to wrap up in style but we shouldn’t be carried away that easily. We have to look at the strength of the opponents.
“Highlanders haven’t had the best of season this year and it’s obvious they would want to compensate for that. They have found their form and I think you saw what they did last week when they beat Dynamos in the semi-finals. It only shows we have one hell of a game coming up.”
The Gamecocks have a clean bill of health. They will look up to the experience of Clement Matawu and skipper Danny Phiri to drive their game from the midfield.
Antipas also has match winners in the club’s top goal scorer Edmore Chirambadare, George Majika and Michelle Katsvairo.
Highlanders on their part will miss the services of two key players — striker Obadiah Tarumbwa and versatile player Erick Mudzingwa — through suspension.
The Bulawayo giants nonetheless are still aiming to finish the season with a flourish after struggling for consistency for the most part of the season.
Bosso have been on the rise under the interim mentorship of Amini Soma-Phiri and Cosmas Zulu.
Last week’s 2-1 win over Dynamos was the tonic they needed to get their fans believing again that they could at least have something to celebrate in a largely mediocre season.
Zulu, the interim technical advisor, yesterday said they will be out for a win although Chicken Inn have been a difficult opponent over the years.
“If you look at the records, we have played them 10 times in the league since they got promoted and they beat us five times, we drew four times and we only won once.
“So we are the underdogs. And given those statistics, we actually don’t have anything to lose and we are happy that we are the underdogs.
“But morale in our camp is very high. We are still looking forward to a good game although, like I said, Chicken Inn are somewhat one of our boogey teams,” said Zulu.
The good news in their camp is that in-form Soccer Star of the Year finalist Knox Mutizwa will be available for the match.
Mutizwa, who scored the crucial second goal against Dynamos last week, was expected to arrive back in the country late afternoon yesterday from South Africa where he was undergoing trials at Bidvest Wits.
He should team up with veteran forward Ralph Matema upfront in the absence of Tarumbwa.
“We don’t have any injuries and we expect everyone to be available for selection except, of course, for the suspended players.
“And we can’t really pretend that everything is okay when we have our second highest goal scorer Obadiah Tarumbwa and one of our most experienced defenders Erick Mudzingwa out suspended.
“It’s a setback for any coach to lose such players but of course that shouldn’t be an excuse. We have to play to win” said Zulu.
“Our fans should come out in numbers because their support is key in such games. They should be the 12th man.
“My other message to them is that please we don’t want hooliganism. If we are to win let’s win honourably and if we are to lose, we should lose with grace,” said Zulu.
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