adminCHAMPIONS Chicken Inn plunge into the deep-end of continental football this afternoon against high-flying South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the Caf Champions League preliminary round at Barbourfields Stadium. This is probably Chicken Inn’s biggest assignment since attaining promotion into the topflight in 2011.
No doubt, Chicken Inn will be hoping to write their own piece of history against a flamboyant Sundowns’ side that seems to be running away with the South African Premiership title.
It won’t be an easy game for the Gamecocks, who have only played three competitive matches in the run-up to today’s crunch game. They tried to shrug off the rust during an invitational tournament in Ndola, Zambia, from January 27 to February 3.
They drew 2-2 with Zanaco of Zambia, lost 1-3 to Tanzania’s Azam and capped their pre-season tour with a 0-2 defeat to Zambian champions Zesco.
The results posted in Zambia were not what Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas wanted, but it served the purpose as they got some competitive game time and pointers on which areas to plug.
Their defensive frailties were exposed in Ndola by conceding seven goals in three matches, but there is no room for mistakes in today’s match.
Sundowns are a well-oiled machine, with an impressive unbeaten run of 15 league matches during which they have scored 15 times in their last five outings.
These are scary statistics, but in football anything can happen. Sundowns’ bubble may burst, but the Gamecocks need big hearts to do so.
Chicken Inn can halt the Sundowns juggernaut, but only if they believe in themselves and fight with all they have.
Chicken Inn shocked many with their never-say-die attitude in last year’s championship race by fighting to the death to lift their maiden PSL title.
If their desire to win is more than their fear to lose, they stand a huge chance of upsetting the applecart.
They must not think too much about Sundowns’ form, but focus on their own game plan.
Yes, the Brazilians have assembled a high-profile squad with tremendous depth and whose market value is more than Chicken Inn’s budget, but the Gamecocks must look at themselves as equals on the field of play.
Zimbabwean midfield ace Khama Billiat is reportedly the most expensive Sundowns player with a value of R14 million. Their other costly stars include goalkeepers Kennedy Mweene (R7.2 million) and Denis Onyango (R4.5 million).
Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Tebogo Langerman, Thabo Ntethe, Bongani Zungu, Anthony Laffor and Zimbabwe international Cuthbert Malajila are valued between R5 million to R8 million each.
This gives the Gamecocks players, some of who have never faced international opponents, to stand up and be counted.
Many are expecting Sundowns to have a stroll in the park, but Chicken Inn’s underdog tag suits them well to ease expectations and pressure.
Most players at Chicken Inn such as goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, defenders Lawrence Mhlanga and Devine Lunga, midfielders George Majika, Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Physwell Madhazi, as well as strikers Edmore Chirambadare and Ishmael Lawe could be real game changers for the Gamecocks.
These youngsters have age on their side and if they manage to play as a team, close Sundowns and maybe help their team win, their individual stakes will surely rise.
This is a match the Chicken Inn players can also use to market themselves.
However, the Chicken Inn youngsters must keep their cool and not try to overdo things; otherwise their confidence will be irreparably shattered by Sundowns’ mean machine.
It is the duty of seasoned players like skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri, striker Obidiah Tarumbwa, Passmore Bernard, Bhekimpilo “Bhaka” Ncube and Thabani Goredema to lead the youngsters.
They can also do with the 12th player, the fans.
It will be good to see multitudes of Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United as well as other teams’ fans rallying behind the Gamecocks today.
This is the time for Chicken Inn to make history by announcing their arrival in continental club football with a bang. And this can only be done by pulling a shocker against Sundowns.
Online Reporter