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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn skipper Danny Phiri says the Gamecocks need to be more lethal in front of goal against Harare City at Luveve this afternoon as they seek to prop up their campaign for a maiden Castle Lager Premiership title.
The Gamecocks have been faltering of late, but Phiri believes they are still not far from glory with only two games remaining in the season.
They lead the race by two points, but the Bulawayo side should be worried by their recent slump in form and the pressure from close rivals FC Platinum and Dynamos, who are now breathing hard down their necks.
Chicken Inn are winless in their last three matches and should the trend continue this afternoon, they could find their quest for the title in great danger.
The log leaders will be paying close attention to the results at Mandava where second-placed FC Platinum date CAPS United and at Rufaro where Dynamos look to rekindle their faint hopes against Chapungu.
Phiri believes they have not lost the plot following a rather disappointing run of identical 1-1 draws with FC Platinum, Whawha and Tsholotsho.
The midfield strongman said the recent slump was largely a result of their inability to convert scoring chances and will be looking to make amends this afternoon.
“It was disappointing when we went three games without winning but right now we need to focus on our game against Harare City. We need to get a good result at all costs.
“The problem was that we haven’t been converting our chances. This is something that we really need to work hard on. There has to be a change. We have to start scoring goals again if we are to achieve our ambition.
“Harare City are a good team so we would need to be at our best. It’s not going to be easy but we need to try by all means and get a positive result,” said Phiri.
The Chicken Inn skipper knows they need to pull up their socks or they lose the plot. Their strikers have to turn up this afternoon following a low conversion rate of five goals in the last five matches. The pressure should be more on their chief striker, Edmore Chirambadare, who has not found the target in the last four outings.
Veteran coach, Joey Antipas, looks to have all his players available but they should not expect an easy afternoon from Harare City.
The Sunshine Boys coach, Taurai Mangwiro, yesterday warned that they are in Bulawayo for some serious business.
“This is an important game and we are going to accord it the prominence it deserves. We know Chicken Inn will be looking for maximum points to boost their title credentials but we also have our own targets to meet and a reputation to protect.
“We need a top six finish and at this juncture every point matters. Our aim now is to finish on a high note and we take it up from there next season,” said Mangwiro.
The Sunshine Boys, however, will be without defenders Arnold Chivheya, who is recovering after being involved a road accident and Crispen Dickson through injury.
Chicken Inn are sitting on 55 points while FC Platinum have 53. Dynamos, in third place, still have a mathematical chance in the championship matrix on 51 points.
DeMbare host Chapungu at Rufaro this afternoon. DeMbare team manager, Richard Chihoro yesterday said they still have a lot to fight for.
“As things stand I think we are still very much in the race so we have to win this match at all costs. We remain positive because anything can happen in football.
“We have decided that we will not concern ourselves much with what is happening in the other matches out there. Our focus is on our own games.
“That is why we won at Dongo Sawmill during midweek and that win really brought us back (into contention). So with six points still to play for, I know even the two top teams are now trembling,” said Chihoro.
Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya should have a full house to select his team from with the exception of the trio of Roderick Mutuma, Masimba Mambare and Obey Mwerahari, who are still down with injuries.
DeMbare will be looking to complete a double over their opponents following the 1-0 first leg win at Ascot.
But Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino said they will not be sitting ducks. The Air Force of Zimbabwe side are keen for a top eight finish. They currently occupy ninth position because of inferior goal difference.
“Obviously we are the underdogs in this match but it means a lot to us since everyone expects Dynamos to win this match. To us it’s a positive thing because we don’t have that kind of pressure.
“It works in our favour and I believe winning this match will do us good in our quest for a place among the top eight teams,” said Nyikadzino.
The lanky coach is expected to unleash former Dynamos players Philip Marufu, Allen Tavarwisa, Tinei Chitora and Patrick Khumbula against their former paymasters.
Fixtures:
Today: Chicken Inn v Harare City (Luveve), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava), ZPC Kariba v Hwange (Nyamhunga), Dynamos v Chapungu (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: How Mine v Dongo Sawmill (Luveve), Highlanders v Tsholotsho (Barbourfields), Whawha v Flame Lily (Ascot), Triangle United v Buffaloes (Gibbo)
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