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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
JOEY Antipas faces a stern test in his first home game as Chicken Inn gaffer when his team takes on championship dark horses FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium on Sunday. It is not the type of a fixture that any new coach would like to play while still trying to settle down.
Antipas joined the Gamecocks last week, a day after Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu resigned from the Chicken Inn hot seat and got a point away from home against Monomotapa in his first game in charge.
Chicken Inn are seventh on the log with 36 points and are hard-pressed for a win as they continue their survival battle.
The ambitious Bulawayo outfit has not had a good second half of the season only managing eight points from a possible 33, losing five times, winning once against Black Rhinos and playing to five draws.
On the other hand, their weekend opponents have been silently picking up points, making sure that they keep up with the title chasing group of Dynamos, Harare City and Highlanders.
FC Platinum is just three points behind log leaders Dynamos with 45 points with 19 of those picked in 11 matches played in the second half of the season. The Zvishavane club has won six, lost four with their only draw coming against Caps United.
In an interview yesterday, Antipas said he is looking forward to his first home game and is confident that they will get maximum points against the platinum miners.
“I am looking forward to posting a good result in my first match at home and the guys are also looking forward to the game. I am still settling but that is not an excuse. FC Platinum are a good side, they have quality players and are doing well in the league but we are going to give them a good run for their money. I also have quality players in my squad and I have faith in these boys. It will be a tight game but hopefully an interesting one,” said Antipas.
Chicken Inn have a clean bill of health with the league’s leading goal scorer with 15 goals Tendai Ndoro expected to lead their strike force.
Ndoro is on loan from Mpumalanga Black Aces of South Africa and has set himself a target of 20 goals.
Antipas can also count on former national Under-23 goalkeeper Liberty Chirava who played ahead of seasoned Njabulo Nyoni against Monomotapa last week, defenders Felix Chindungwe, Moses Jackson, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Tonisani Sibelo, Brian Mbiriri and Charles Mutero.
Mutero is part of the three former Motor Action players that have re-united with Antipas. Clemence Matawu and Dylan Chivandire played under Antipas in the first half of the season at the Mighty Bulls, who have already been relegated.
Matawu has been doing well in the midfield where he is ably complemented by Danny Phiri, Kudakwashe Mahachi who is attending week-long trials at Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, Canaan Nkomo, Brian Juru and Thabani Goredema.
Ndoro is competing with veterans Mkhokheli Dube and Chivandire, Thomas Chimenya, Tendai Mukambi and Lenience Mpofu for a starting place.
FC Platinum coach Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa is aware of the quality at Chicken Inn but is not worried as he believes that his boys can stand up to their opponents.
Mutasa admitted that the championship is no longer in their hands but remain hopeful that if they win their games, they may have a slight chance in the event that the top three teams drop points.
“I have said it before and I am saying it again, the championship is no longer in our hands but it depends on how other teams play. What we have to do is to collect as many points as possible and wait for the season to end to see where we will be. Competition is getting tougher as the season draws to the end and we know that every game is always tricky but we are prepared to play and get positive results,” said Mutasa.
He said besides Ali Sadiki who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury, Raymond Sibanda is the only player who is recovering from the sidelines.
FC Platinum’s preparations for their Sunday match have been boosted by the availability of Donald Ngoma who has fully recovered from an injury.
The platinum miners can also call on Soccer Star of the Year contender Charles Sibanda, Thabani Kamusoko, young Raphael Muduviwa, the Moyo twins Elvis and Kevin, Aaron Katebe and his Zambian compatriot Obrey Chirwa and Mitchell Katsvairo.
In other matches, How Mine takes on Hwange at Luveve Stadium tomorrow while Black Mambas and Monomotapa face each other in another survival battle.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: How Mine v Hwange (Luveve), Black Mambas v Monomotapa (Morris Depot), Shabanie Mine v Tripple B (Maglas)
Sunday: Triangle United v Dynamos (Gibbo), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), Black Rhinos v Harare City (Rimuka), Motor Action v Highlanders (Rufaro), Buffaloes v Caps United (Sakubva).
Log
P W D L F A Pts
Dynamos 26 13 9 4 36 17 48
Harare City 26 13 9 4 37 23 48
Highlanders 26 14 5 7 40 21 47
FC Platinum 26 13 6 7 34 23 45
Caps United 26 12 6 8 35 29 42
Triangle 26 10 8 8 39 30 38
Chicken Inn 26 10 7 9 32 30 36
Hwange 26 9 8 9 33 29 35
Buffaloes 26 10 5 11 37 38 35
How Mine 26 10 5 11 23 29 35
Shabanie Mine 26 9 6 11 27 32 33
Black Mambas 26 9 5 12 29 32 32
Black Rhinos 26 7 9 10 28 33 30
Monomotapa 26 6 8 12 24 41 26
Tripple B 26 4 7 15 21 48 19
Motor Action 26 3 9 14 16 33 18
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