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Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
CHICKEN Inn FC hold the key to the Castle Lager Premiership title landing in Bulawayo. This was a bold statement made by the Gamecocks’ chairman Lifa Ncube on Sunday morning hours before a 2-0 win over FC Platinum. The win left the Bulawayo lads in clear sight of a possible top four finish which goes with a BancABC Sup8r Cup qualification and better seeding for the 2014 edition of the tournament.
Ncube said the motivation to beat Dynamos in Week 29 comes from the desire to achieve what they set themselves as a target at the beginning of the year.
Chicken Inn have set themselves a target of finishing among the best four and recently took a decisive move to ensure that this dream is achieved. They fired coaches Mandla Mpofu and Mkhuphali Masuku as they feared their continued engagement could result in them missing the target.
Joey Antipas has come on board and was on the bench as the Innscor sponsored team beat FC Platinum who are also eyeing the championship.
“We hold the key to Highlanders’ championship hopes and we have to beat Dynamos,” said Ncube.
While Ncube’s Chicken Inn could better their log standing of sixth position, the challenge is on Bosso who should win their remaining games if they are to entertain hopes of winning the championship.
The Bulawayo giants have unfortunately shown in their last two matches that they do not have the players with a winning mentality and a coaching department with the expertise to guide them to victory.
A 1-0 loss to Dynamos recently which was followed by a 1-1 draw with an already relegated Motor Action, has raised many questions regarding the quality of Bosso players and the ingenuity of the technical team.
Bosso have three matches to rescue the championship and are hoping leaders Dynamos and Harare City falter.
Dynamos seem to have easier assignments as they play against Shabanie Mine, coached by self-confessed DeMbare supporter Luke Masomere, and Black Mambas. Both matches will be played in Harare.
The defending champions’ toughest hurdle will probably be the match against Chicken Inn.
History favours a positive result for Chicken Inn. In the past when Highlanders were on course to land the title, neighbours came in handy. The How Mine 1-0 win in Bulawayo stopped DeMbare from opening a big gap between themselves and third placed Highlanders. Only a point separates the two biggest clubs in domestic football.
Ncube is adamant that they want a good finish for the club and he is sure that beating Dynamos will be a solid foundation for next year for their players and technical team.
He said they will not be out to do Bosso any favours but will play for their own pride.
“We are in the Castle Lager Premiership to compete fairly and beat all the teams. We will not be doing it for Highlanders but for ourselves. The players know what is at stake and will obviously want to beat the biggest team in the land. Already they have beaten Highlanders and would want to add Dynamos’ scalp to their list of victims,” said the Chicken Inn boss who is tipped to be the next PSL board member responsible for finance.
Ncube said his players under a new coach were all fired up and eager to prove that they deserve new contracts for 2014.
“Our players have all the motivation to want to beat Dynamos. Who would not want to impress a new coach especially towards the end of the season? Joey has said he wants to see what he has got in store as far as players are concerned,” said Ncube.
Chicken Inn have 40 points and trail fifth placed Caps United by five and will be praying that both Makepekepe and FC Platinum stay glued on 45 points.
Soccer lovers are obviously eagerly awaiting the result of the match between Chicken Inn and Dynamos on 17 November.
In the past, Zimbabwe Saints did neighbours Bosso a big favour by beating Dynamos.
In another season it took Railstars to derail AmaZulu in the last match of the year for Bosso to clinch the title.
Could Chicken Inn turn out to be Bosso and Bulawayo’s heroes by beating Dynamos?
What is however important is for a club to win its own matches instead of waiting for others to do favours for it.
Last weekend games of Black Rhinos (v Harare City), Motor Action (v Highlanders FC) and Triangle (v Dynamos) proved that there are no small teams.
Remaining Fixtures
Week 28: Dynamos v Shabanie Mine, Harare City v Motor Action, Highlanders v Triangle, FC Platinum v Black Mambas, Caps United v Black Rhinos, Hwange v Buffaloes, Monomotapa v How Mine, Tripple B v Chicken Inn
Week 29: Harare City v Highlanders, Chicken Inn v Dynamos, Shabanie Mine v Triangle, Black Mambas v Tripple B, Buffaloes v Monomotapa Black Rhinos v Hwange, Motor Action v Caps United, How Mine v FC Platinum
Week 30: Dynamos v Black Mambas, Highlanders v Shabanie Mine, Triangle v Chicken Inn, Tripple B v How Mine, Caps United v Harare City, FC Platinum v Buffaloes, Monomotapa v Black Rhinos, Hwange v Motor Action
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