We have to be at our best: Antipas

CHICKEN Inn coach Joey Antipas is well aware that his team will have to step up its game if it wants to beat Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

In April, Chicken Inn became the first team to beat Highlanders in the league this season, securing a 2-1 victory, with goals from Michael Charamba and Brian Muza.

Despite this, Antipas is not dwelling on past victories and recognises that they need to focus on the task at hand.

“We are not thinking about the first game. That is in the past; we played that game and it is gone. We are now looking forward to the game on Sunday.

“I believe we have to apply ourselves fully if we are to get all three points on the day. There are no excuses. We have to bring our ‘A’ game,” said Antipas.

In their previous game, Chicken Inn were knocked out of the Chibuku Super Cup by Yadah Stars 4-5 after a penalty shootout after the two teams had played to a 1-1 stalemate, while Highlanders secured a convincing 3-0 win over Greenfuel to progress to the quarter-finals.

“We are playing well. It’s just unfortunate that we lost the Cup game.

“Highlanders are also in top form having won convincingly against Greenfuel, but we have put the cup heartbreak behind us and are fully focused on the next assignment.

“The boys have been working hard at training and we are still assessing some who have slight knocks. At the moment I can’t say who will be in and who is out of the game on Sunday,” said Antipas.

In other matches, Arenel Movers missed some training days due to a lack of payment for their training facility ahead of their game against ZPC Kariba on Saturday.

Bulawayo Chiefs will travel to Shamva for a date with Simba Bhora, while Herentals face Greenfuel at Rufaro Stadium.

On Sunday, CAPS United will face Manica Diamonds at Rufaro Stadium, and FC Platinum will travel to Mutare for a match against Bikita Minerals at Sakubva Stadium.

Fixtures

Saturday

Arenel vs ZPC Kariba (Luveve), Herentals vs Greenfuel (Rufaro), Simba Bhora vs Bulawayo Chiefs (Wadzanayi)

Sunday

Chicken Inn vs Highlanders (Barbourfields), Bikita Minerals vs FC Platinum (Sakubva), Caps United vs Manica Diamonds (Rufaro), Chegutu vs Yadah (Baobab)

-@innocentskizoe