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In their last meeting in Zvishavane last season, the two teams played to a 1-1 draw and Chicken Inn gaffer Adam Ndlovu is confident that they will come out with a positive result.
What gives the Chicken Inn coach hope is probably the fact that they watched FC Platinum edge Shabanie Mine 1-0 last Saturday.
They also drew 1-1 at Luveve Stadium in the first leg and Ndlovu was in Harare attending a Caf coaching refresher course.
“I believe we have a team that can fight for our goal which is a top four ending. Actually there are possibilities of us even ending the season third on the log which will be a bonus for us.
“FC Platinum are a good side, with equally good players like we do and we respect them just like any other team we have played. However, we are going there just like any other team wanting a victory,” said the former Warriors striker.
Chicken Inn will have to do without industrious midfielder Thabani Goredema who is out after accumulating three yellow cards.
Guide Goddard is also out of the team serving suspension after picking a red card during the one-all draw with Buffaloes in Mutare. He missed Chicken Inn’s 3-2 win over Hardbody.
Ndlovu is likely to build his midfield around Sydney Linyama with Danny “Deco” Phiri, Tendai Ndoro, Young Warriors’ Kudakwashe Mahachi, Canaan Nkomo and Makhosi Ncube all vying for starting places.
Tough-as-teak defender and contender for a place on the Soccer Star of the Year calendar Felix “Basic Finest” Chindungwe, Herbert Dick, Moses Jackson and Brian Mbiriri will marshal the defence.
Njabulo Nyoni and Liberty Chirava are fighting for the goalkeeper’s starting place.
The fast-food sponsored side should brace for a tough encounter as FC Platinum have talented players who can give them a good run for their money.
FC Platinum lost 3-0 to Motor Action in their last league game and they will be hoping to win so that they pick up points which will enable them to get a top eight finish.
The platinum miners though are haunted by Asiagate which looks to sweep a number of their key players.
They are banking on Donald Ngoma, 2010 Soccer Star of the Year Charles Sibanda, skilful midfielder Welcome “Waruwa” Ndiweni, Ali Sadiki, Joel Ngodzo and his brother Zephaniah.
Meanwhile, Hwange coach Nation Dube is still confident that they will survive relegation.
Dube has roped in Brian Njobvu in a move meant to help the team in their fight against relegation.
Hwange are away to Buffaloes on Sunday.
“We might be on the wrong side of the log but we are not giving up. I believe everyone is fighting and committed to seeing us surviving and we are going to fight until the last whistle.
“The players’ positive mentality and attitude at training gives me hope that we will survive,” said Dube.
Chipangano is in the murky relegation waters and with five games left, they are fifth from the bottom with 26 points.
They will be pinning their hopes on veterans Timothy Sibanda, Gilbert Zulu, Malvern Longwe, Gerald Ndlovu and David Boriwondo to lead their survival battle.
Fixtures
Saturday: Quelaton v Harare City (Luveve), Monomotapa v Black Mambas (Rufaro), Blue Rangers v Motor Action (Gwanzura), FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava)
Sunday: Dynamos v Highlanders (Rufaro), Hardbody v Shabanie Mine (Ascot), Buffaloes v Hwange (Sakubva), Caps United v Gunners (Gwanzura).
Online Reporter