WATCH: We’re not out – Matore

CHICKEN INN FC is not throwing in the towel yet.

Chicken Inn made it clear at the beginning of the season that they were aiming the league title but unfortunately things don’t appear to be going according to plan.

Coach Prince Matore, however, believes his side is still in the title race despite being 10 points behind log leaders Highlanders with 16 games to go.

Perhaps, Matore has every reason to believe so as there are still 48 points to play for.

Chicken Inn is on position five with 28 points and next faces Simba Bhora in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at Baobab Stadium tomorrow.

The Gamecocks coach predicts a tough encounter against a side they beat 1-0 at Luveve Stadium in the season’s first leg.

Chicken Inn won their only league title in 2015 and since then, expectations have remained high that the team will one day return to the winners podium.

Just last season, the Gamecocks started the season brilliantly and were on top of the table for some time before they let the title slip away and finished as first runners-up to FC Platinum.

They were bridesmaids again in 2019 and finished second after eventual league winners FC Platinum.

Matore says the second half of the league season is a time they have to get their act together in terms of character and mentality.

“We have to work on our character and mentality. Work hard in training. We are in the chasing pack and we want to compete to win the championship,” said Matore. He predicts a tough encounter against Simba Bhora in their next assignment.

“It’s a difficult game against Simba Bhora. We are playing away from home. What is important is to regroup after the Chibuku Super Cup and focus on the league. We have to work and get something out of this game. The second round is going to be difficult because we have teams fighting to survive relegation and some to win the championship,” said Matore.

The Gamecocks coach said the trio of captain Xolani Ndlovu, Brian Muza and Tafadzwa Kutinyu are all doubts for the next game owing to injuries.
Simba Bhora have made it clear that they want to survive relegation in their first year in the topflight league.

The Shamva-based outfit already have in their books ex-Zimbabwe international winger Talent Chawapiwa, Hugh Chikosa, Partson Jaure, Keith Murera and Vassilli Kawe among other gifted players. Simba is owned by mining tycoon Simba “Buju” Ndoro.

They will play their home matches at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva once the stadium which is under renovation, meets PSL standards. Former
Dynamos coach Tonderayi Ndiraya is the club’s head coach. He took over from Arthur Tutani, who is ineligible to coach in the Premier Soccer League as he doesn’t possess the Caf A coaching qualification.

The side was promoted to the PSL after winning the Northern Region Soccer League Championship last year. It is the first time a team from Shamva has qualified for the PSL and they want to continue making history.

The side was expected to bring a whole different vibe to the top flight league considering the good crowds they were recording for their Division One games. — @innocentskizoe.