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Sikhumbuzo Moyo
CHICKEN INN head coach Mandla Mpofu has declared today’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Luveve Stadium against third placed and championship favourites Harare City, a must win encounter.The youthful Mpofu who is assisted by Warriors’ assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku believes victory in today’s match is not negotiable if they are to stay within shouting distance of the leading pack.
The team still has a chance of lifting their maiden silverware. Both sides dropped two points in their previous matches. The Gamecocks drew 0-0 with relegation fighting 2010 league champions and Caf Champions League 2011 participants Motor Action while Harare City were held to a 1-1 draw by BancABC Sup8r winners Shabanie Mine.
“It’s a tough game without doubt but for us it’s a must win encounter because what is important to us is to close the gap between us and them and then eventually look at the next teams,” said Mpofu.
Chicken Inn are sixth on the log standings with 35 points, five behind Harare City and second placed Highlanders. Mpofu said they will not read too much into their 1-2 loss in the first leg as he believes they were just unfortunate on the day. Former Hwange defender, Tonisani Sibelo scored the Bulawayo side’s goal.
“We were in the early stages of the league then and I really would not want to read much into that defeat. The boys were just unfortunate, coupled with many factors that worked against us,” said Mpofu.
Mpofu has two injury worries, Thabani Goredema and Brian Juru but was hopeful that the duo would make it for today’s encounter.
On his side’s championship chances, the former Kujatana of Victoria Falls and Railstars coach seemed confident.
“We have eight games, 24 points to play for and naturally anything can happen, all we have to do is to win our own games and let the rest take care of itself,” said Mpofu.
His counterpart, Bigboy Mawiwi who is credited with transforming an ordinary side into a fierce outfit in the league predicted an open but tough game this afternoon.
“It’s always difficult to prepare when you have games coming so close to each other so what we did was just to give the guys a rest day and today (yesterday) we are travelling to Bulawayo. It’s a tough challenge as there are no more easy games now that we are eight games away,” he said.
Like Mpofu, he too has two players nursing injuries, Talent Chawapiwa and veteran David Kutyauripo, who is very familiar with the Luveve turf as a former Mamelodi Sundowns player.
Mawiwi said Chawapiwa is out but Kutyauripo might pass a late fitness test. Meanwhile, Mawiwi was furious when asked about the source of the cat that “invaded” the pitch during their Mbada Diamonds Cup first round match against Monomotapa which his team won on Sunday.
“My friend, I am a professional coach, I don’t want to talk about things that have nothing to do with football, okay. No comment on that, by the way there were two teams playing remember,” charged Mawiwi.
In other matches, a revived Highlanders left the city yesterday for the Manicaland capital of Mutare ahead of their tricky encounter with soldiers Buffaloes at Sakubva Stadium tomorrow.
Tshilamoya welcomes back their most outstanding player this season Bruce Kangwa who missed the 2-1 win over FC Platinum in a midweek match on Wednesday due to suspension.
The Bulawayo giants’ title dream became a reality when Hwange pulled a shocker by drubbing defending champions Dynamos 4-2. The entire Highlanders family would be praying for a positive outing on a difficult pitch where many giants have fallen.
Beitbridge based Tripple B play host to a still dazed FC Platinum hoping to ride on the platinum miners’ state of confusion.
Party spoilers Hwange who showed total disrespect for Dynamos’ classy mode of transport, are on the road to tricky Triangle while the badly bruised Dynamos are home to 2008 champions Monomotapa who are fighting for breath on the log standings.
Fixtures
Today : Chicken Inn v Harare City (Luveve), Black Mambas v Motor Action (Morris Depot)
Sunday: Shabanie Mine v Caps United (Maglas), How Mine v Black Rhinos (Luveve), Buffaloes v Highlanders (Sakubva), Triangle v Hwange (Gibbo), Dynamos v Monomotapa (Rufaro), Tripple B v FC Platinum (Dulibadzimu)
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Bongani Ndlovu