Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
FORMER Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu makes an emotional return to Bulawayo this weekend when he leads ambitious Hardrock FC into a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) showdown against Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium tomorrow.
Kaindu’s side arrive in the City of Kings aiming to extend their strong run, but they face a Chicken Inn team high on confidence after a commanding victory over Triangle United in their last league outing.
The Gamecocks’ win over Triangle United has injected fresh belief into their campaign as they look to climb the table, with home advantage expected to play a key role in their push for maximum points.
Hardrock, however, have quickly built a reputation as one of the league’s most ambitious and free-spending sides, assembling a competitive squad capable of troubling established opposition.
The visitors will also draw confidence from their last visit to Bulawayo, where they stunned Bulawayo Chiefs in a result that underlined their growing pedigree on the road.
For Kaindu, the fixture carries added emotion. The Zambian tactician remains a familiar figure in Bulawayo football circles following his previous stint in charge of Highlanders, where he earned respect for his tactical discipline and competitive edge.
Now at Hardrock, he has been tasked with building a side capable of challenging the country’s traditional heavyweights and early signs suggest a team growing in confidence and structure.
Standing in their way is a Chicken Inn outfit coached by Tonderayi Ndiraya, who will be banking on experience and home support to keep their momentum going after the important win over Triangle United.
“I think Chicken Inn is one of the strong squad in the league. Hey have moved to their home ground Luveve Stadium and I think the city council has done a good job on that venue. We hope people will come in their numbers and support their teams,” said Kaindu.
He added: “On their day, Chicken Inn can pull a surprise but we will want to focus on this game. We just don’t want to dwell on the two teams form because at times they have been inconsistent. Chicken Inn are a well-structured side.
However, on the other end we have no injury worries in our camp, everyone is available for selection.”
Luveve Stadium — a familiar hunting ground for Chicken Inn over the years — will once again host top-flight action after being reopened last week following the completion of repairs to its outer perimeter fence, restoring access to the historic Bulawayo venue.
With Chicken Inn buoyed by their recent result and Hardrock arriving with ambition and belief, Luveve Stadium is set for a tightly contested encounter with plenty at stake.
For Kaindu, it is another return to a familiar stage. For Hardrock, it is another chance to test their credentials against established Premier Soccer League opposition.
Ahead of the fixture in an interview with Classic 263, Gamecocks head coach Tonderayi Ndiraya reckoned: “We had gone for six games without success. Last weekend we travelled to Triangle and we scored two goals. It’s not easy to get maximum points at Gibbo. There is still some work to do.”
In other fixtures slated for the weekend, Bulawayo Chiefs will be looking to capitalise on Dynamos’ off-field troubles when they travel to Rufaro Stadium on Sunday for a potentially explosive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) Matchday 20 encounter.
The Ninjas head into the clash brimming with confidence after a convincing 2-0 victory over Agama FC, while DeMbare are battling uncertainty following the suspension of head coach Genesis Mangombe over allegations of match-fixing and the use of juju.
The Bulawayo outfit will be hoping to carry that momentum into the capital against a Dynamos side that was held to a 1-1 draw by Highlanders in last weekend’s Battle of Zimbabwe.
While Bulawayo Chiefs focus on Rufaro, fellow Bulawayo giants Highlanders face a tricky away assignment against MWOS FC at Ngoni Stadium on Saturday.
Bosso, who shared the spoils with Dynamos last weekend, will be chasing maximum points to remain in touch with the leading pack.
The black-and-white army has shown encouraging signs under coach Benjani Mwaruwari, but face a stern test against a MWOS side that has proved difficult to beat on home turf.
“We need to find more fire power, for us to win games it means we need goals so this is an area that we have to work on as we go on with the league’s fixtures schedule,” said Mwaruwari.
Matchday
20 Fixtures
Friday
Scottland vs Manica Diamonds (Rufaro Stadium)
Saturday
Simba Bhora vs TelOne (Wadzanayi Stadium), Chicken Inn vs Hardrock (Luveve Stadium), ZPC Kariba vs Ngezi Platinum Stars (Nyamhunga Stadium), FC Platinum vs FC Hunters (Mandava Stadium), MWOS vs Highlanders (Ngoni Stadium), CAPS United vs Triangle United (Rufaro Stadium)
Sunday
Agama vs Herentals College (Wadzanayi Stadium), Dynamos vs Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro Stadium)-@FungaiMuderere
