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Ricky Zililo and Lovemore Zigara Sports Reporters
CHICKEN Inn FC’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship pedigree comes under test tomorrow when they take on Triangle United at Gibbo Stadium. The Gamecocks are at the top of the league table with 46 points, nine ahead of fourth placed Triangle, who are running low on steam and have gone four matches without a win.
In their last four outings, Triangle have lost twice at home to title contenders FC Platinum and defending champions Dynamos, and drawn against How Mine and relegation threatened Whawha. After a promising start to the season, Triangle’s campaign faltered along the way and they will be targeting Chicken Inn’s scalp to revive their slim championship hopes.
In his post-match interview after seeing his charges pick a point in Gweru against Whawha, Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu said it was too early to ruled them out of the title race. Eight rounds of matches are left before the season ends and the Eastern Lowveld side sit on 37 points. They need nothing short of victory tomorrow to mathematically remain in the title race.
“There are 24 points to play for and that’s a lot of games to be played. It’s still quite open for any team and even if you look at how tight the competition among the teams at the bottom is, you’ll realise there is no team that has been confirmed relegated,” said Kaindu. “The race is still on, but unfortunately for us, we should have tried to narrow the gap between us and Chicken Inn. If we had won the match against Whawha, it could have been an advantage for us,” he said.
The Zambian believes his charges have done well so far despite Triangle taking their foot off the pedal after the halfway mark. A defeat by Chicken Inn will effectively crush their championship dreams, something that the Gamecocks intend to do.
“Triangle are a good ball playing side and we’re going there to try and steal something. It won’t be easy but what we want is to win,” said Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas.
“At this stage of the season, it doesn’t matter whether you play beautiful soccer or a boring game as long as you collect maximum points, especially if you’re where we are,” he said. Antipas said his charges would remain calm, focused and positive, and is also relieved that skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri, who missed the weekend’s game due to suspension, will be available.
However, Antipas is worried about the availability of left-back Brian Mbiriri and Guide Goddard, scorer of the winning goal against ZPC Kariba, who are nursing injuries. Chicken Inn might be forced to shuffle their defence for the Triangle trip. Dynamos fans and FC Platinum will be closely monitoring proceedings in Triangle hoping that the Gamecocks drop points for them to reduce the gap.
It remains to be seen whether under-fire How Mine will stop the FC Platinum juggernaut at Luveve Stadium tomorrow. FC Platinum have gone 13 games unbeaten as coach Norman Mapeza has turned them into a formidable side. The youthful platinum miners are quick on the ball and deadly going forward.
Some of the players How Mine should keep a close eye on include the Moyo twins Elvis and Kevin, Gerald Takwara, Obrey Chirwa, Allan Gahadzikwa, Winston Mhango and Marshal Mudhewe. They also have a good goalkeeper in Petros Mhari.
How Mine have only managed two points in their last six outings and need their seasoned players such as Kuda Musharu, Heritein Masuku, Wonder Sithole, Thembani Masuku, Timothy January and Devon Chafa to up their game if they have any hopes of stopping FC Platinum.
The gold miners also need to work on their leaky central defence of Nelson Tachi and Tapiwa Khumbuyani, and it will not be surprising if Gilbert Banda or Nyasha Mukumbi bounce back at central defence as coach Luke Masomere tries another combination to protect his goalkeeper. Following the 1-2 loss to Tsholotsho, Masomere said he had to work on his players’ mental abilities.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Nyamhunga), How Mine v FC Platinum (Luveve), Chapungu v Tsholotsho FC (Ascot), Dynamos v Whawha (Rufaro), Triangle United v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Hwange v Caps United (Colliery)
Thursday: Highlanders v Flame Lily (Barbourfields), Buffaloes v Dongo Sawmill (Sakubva)
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