adminRicky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
CHICKEN INN coach Joey Antipas is wary of lowly placed Whawha whom they play tomorrow at Ascot Stadium in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter and has demanded maximum concentration from his charges.
Antipas said underrating their opponents could be disastrous for their title campaign.
He called on his players to be at their best when they play the Division One bound Whawha.
Chicken Inn top the table with 53 points, four ahead of second placed FC Platinum who have a tricky home game against Chibuku Super Cup champions, Harare City at Mandava Stadium tomorrow.
Antipas said the title race is wide open and for them to realise their dream, they need to stay focused.
“I think the lesson we learnt from our last game where we drew 1-1 with FC Platinum is that we need to concentrate all the time and bury the chances we create. Only maximum concentration and hard work will carry us through. Now our approach to every game is that of a final match where we really need to do the smash and grab affair,” said Antipas.
“What makes the game against Whawha difficult is that they’ve nothing to play for and as they say, the last kicks of a dying horse are dangerous. We’ve to avoid getting kicked and need to win this game at all cost.”
Antipas reported a clean bill of health.
The Gamecocks’ captain Danny “Deco” Phiri, who has had an inspirational season for both club and country, and veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu, who have been the heartbeat of Chicken Inn, are expected to orchestrate Whawha’s downfall through the midfield.
Chicken Inn’s trio of defender Lawrence “Dazzy” Mhlanga, goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and the league’s joint top scorer Edmore Chirambadare, who arrived on the eve of the FC Platinum match, are also expected to play significant roles in Gweru.
Antipas welcomes back Thabani Goredema, who missed the last league match due to suspension and Guide Goddard who has recovered from a muscle injury.
The Gamecocks can also bank on central defender Moses Jackson, who might partner Ben Nyahunzvi in the event that Mhlanga is ruled out of the tie, right-back Passmore Bernard, left-back Brian Mbiriri, veteran midfielder Matawu, striker Mitchell Katsvairo and wingers George Majika and Toto Banda.
Whawha’s hopes will be pinned on Cleopas Kapupurika, Nelson Maziwisa and utility player Marshal Machazane.
With nothing to play for, Whawha will not hand Chicken Inn maximum points on a silver platter.
They are capable of causing an upset, having proved that in the past by claiming the scalps of defending champions Dynamos, FC Platinum and Highlanders at home.
Whawha beat FC Platinum 2-1 in April, DeMbare 1-0 in May and Bosso 1-0 in August.
Some of Whawha’s players that Chicken Inn should look out for include Clifton Mwale, Stanley Chakwana, Blessed Chikwekwete, Raymond Horongwa and Gift Kwaramba.
Meanwhile, at Luveve Stadium tomorrow, How Mine will play host to Flame Lily while Chapungu are away to ZPC Kariba.
On Sunday, defending champions Dynamos clash with Caps United in a Harare derby that will be screened live on SuperSport.
Dynamos, third on the table and six points behind Chicken Inn, need victory from the blockbuster encounter to keep their slim title hopes alive.
The Green Machine still entertain hopes of a top four finish. They are sixth and tied on 38 points with fifth placed Hwange, who have a superior goal difference.
Both Hwange and Caps United trail fourth placed Triangle United, who lock horns with Dongo Sawmill at Gibbo Stadium on Sunday, by a point.
Chipangano, as Hwange are affectionately known, have a tricky home tie against relegation fighters Tsholotsho FC.
Highlanders clash with Buffaloes to cap the weekend’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches.
Week 27 Fixtures
Tomorrow: How Mine v Flame Lily (Luveve), FC Platinum v Harare City (Mandava), ZPC Kariba v Chapungu (Nyamhunga), Whawha v Chicken Inn (Ascot Stadium, SuperSport, 1PM)
Sunday: Hwange v Tsholotsho FC (Colliery), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM), Triangle United v Dongo Sawmill (Gibbo), Highlanders v Buffaloes (Barbourfields)
Table
P W D L F A GD Pts
Chicken Inn 26 16 5 5 38 19 19 53
FC Platinum 26 14 7 5 47 20 27 49
Dynamos 26 12 11 3 30 18 12 47
Triangle 26 10 9 7 37 22 15 39
Hwange 26 9 11 6 27 23 4 38
Caps United 26 9 11 6 21 20 1 38
Harare City 26 8 13 5 26 20 6 37
Chapungu 26 9 9 8 25 24 1 36
ZPC Kariba 26 8 9 9 35 32 3 33
How Mine 26 8 9 9 28 30 -2 33
Highlanders 26 8 8 10 30 27 3 32
Tsholotsho FC 26 5 11 10 16 26 -10 26
Buffaloes 26 5 11 10 20 36 -16 26
Flame Lily 26 4 11 11 21 31 -10 23
Whawha 26 4 8 14 13 45 -32 20
Dongo Sawmill 26 3 9 14 14 35 -21 18
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