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Fungai Muderere in Pretoria, South Africa
CHICKEN Inn touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg yesterday afternoon ahead of their epic second leg of the Caf Champions League preliminary round against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.
The 30-member delegation headed by Zifa Matabeleland North chairman Dennis Tshuma was immediately escorted to Pretoria by the Tshwane Metro Police.
Captain Danny Phiri praised their hosts’ hospitality. “We can’t complain, Sundowns were quick to take us to Pretoria soon after our arrival in Johannesburg. We have been in camp mode for a couple of days and it continues even here,” said Phiri.
The Gamecocks’ advance team led by club treasurer Mlungisi Moyo secured morning and evening training venues for the Zimbabwe champions as they prepare for the potentially explosive encounter.
The news of training sessions under floodlights was received with joy by goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and combative defender Moses Jackson, who said they could now adequately prepare for Saturday’s battle.
“The fact that we can now train in the evenings ahead of our match is good news because it will enable us to prepare in every possible way. Sundowns must fall and I believe they will fall,” said Jackson.
Jackson put in a stellar performance in the first leg partnering national team defender Lawrence Mhlanga in the heart of defence.
Sundowns welcome back nimble footed Zimbabwe international Khama Billiat from the treatment room and his presence could torment Chicken Inn.
derick.khumalo