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Ricky Zililo in Ndola, Zambia
CHICKEN Inn take on Zesco United in their final game of a four-team tournament at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium here today.
The Gamecocks and Zesco remain winless, with the Zimbabwean champions amassing just a point from their 2-2 draw against Zanaco in the first game before losing 1-3 to Tanzanian champions Azam. Zesco drew 1-1 with Azam and lost 1-2 to rivals Zanaco.
Moses Jackson, Chicken Inn’s stand-in captain, yesterday said they were ready for Zesco and had worked on their defensive frailties.
“We’ve learnt a lot during this tour and everyone is focused on the last game. We want to win the match because we don’t want to go home empty-handed,” said Jackson.
“The coach has been talking about the need to concentrate throughout the game and to work on our defensive mistakes, which I believe we’ve done. What is left is for us to put into practice what we’ve been doing on the training ground into a game situation.”
Jackson said they have to work on thwarting their opponents’ counter-attacks and praised his teammates for their performances against Zanaco and Azam.
“We managed to match Zanaco because they’re coming from the off-season just like us. We could have won that game had we not conceded soft goals. We even created lots of chances, but such is football. You get punished for failing to convert your opportunities.
“Azam were using power play because they are fit since they are halfway through their season. Another thing we’ve learnt is how to deal with breaks and punishing opponents if they sit back hoping to get us on counters,” said Jackson.
For today’s game, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas is likely to start with the squad that drew 2-2 against Zanaco.
Jackson will return to central defence to partner Ben Nyahunzvi, having played at right-back against Azam in the absence of wingback Passmore Bernard who was nursing a slight groin strain.
Left-back Devine Lunga will return to the starting line-up ahead of Brian Mbiriri.
Other players that were rested for the Azam game but are likely to start in today’s clash include attacking midfielder Physwell Madhazi, George Majika and Mitchel Katsvairo, who had made way for Nicholas Mucheneka, Canaan Nkomo and Ishmael Lawe.
New signing Obidiah Tarumbwa, Muchadeyi, Madhazi, Majika, Lunga, Guide Goddard and Brian Juru were impressive in the two games the Gamecocks have played.
Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Nyahunzvi are still to come to the party and haven’t troubled defenders as they did in the league last season.
derick.khumalo