eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
This weekend’s pick of the Castle Lager Premier League matches, sees third placed Chicken Inn entertain Ngezi Platinum Stars (in second place) in one of the stand-out fixtures on the football calendar this month.
With more big clashes in the top eight, the match between Chicken Inn FC and Ngezi Platinum Stars is expected to headline in a showdown at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo as the Gamecocks play host to Madamburo at 3pm.
As the match takes centre stage, both sides come into the contest in good form, winning their previous assignments.
Chicken Inn are exuding with confidence after thumping Shabanie Mine 3-0 at Maglas, extending their unbeaten run to six games whilst Ngezi Platinum Stars humbled Nichrut 3-2 at Baobab.
However, not many teams win at Luveve against Joey “Mafero” Antipas’s Gamecorks, who are viewed as championship dark horses this season.
The Gamecorks go into the fixture as slight favourites, having capped an incredible home record since the season began and are eager to reduce the seven-point deficit with Madamburo.
On the other hand, Chicken Inn have a score to settle after succumbing to a last minute punch when Clive Augusto scored a last minute winner at Baobab in April.
Augusto capitalised on poor defending by the Gamecocks to poke home a priceless goal, which saw his team maintain their unbeaten five-match run to the season.
Antipas, who led Chicken Inn to the 2015 Castle Lager championship, said they will not leave room for defensive errors.
“It’s not the right time to make blunders when playing against a team like Ngezi. We have no room for such errors. We gave them a huge task at home and they capitalised on poor defence.
However, it won’t happen again. We want maximum points and the fact that we are playing at home gives us motivation and confidence. It is one of those tough fixtures but we have to prepare thoroughly,” he said.
Upfront, Chicken Inn will be relying on consistent attacker Oriel Sibanda and veteran striker Obadiah Tarumbwa, who scored five and seven goals respectively.
Despite the departure of left back Devine Lunga, who joined Golden Arrows of South Africa last month, Chicken Inn have been consistent.
Second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars, who are eying their maiden Premier league title have 47 points whilst Chicken Inn are on third position on the log standings with 40 points.
Tonderayi Ndiraya has a big game that will define the rest of the season.
How strong he goes in tomorrow’s clash remains to be seen as he hopes to catch up with Premiership log leaders, FC Platinum, who are two points away.
On the other hand, Ndiraya will have to work without striker Terence Dzvukamanja who had banged eight goals before leaving by South Africa’s Bidvest Wits.
Defender, Frank Mukarati, who was suspended in their previous game will be available for selection.
Chicken Inn have no major injury problems going into tomorrow’s game whilst Ngezi Platinum have Simba Nhivi on the sidelines due to a fractured arm.
Other matches to watch in Harare include the Herentals versus CAPS United at the Rufaro Stadium whilst wounded Black Rhinos take on relegation candidates Bulawayo City at the National Sports Stadium.
Matchday 22 Fixtures 3pm kick off
Tomorrow
Chicken Inn FC vs Ngezi Platinum Stars FC — Luveve Stadium.
Nichrut FC vs Highlanders FC —Ascot Stadium.
Herentals FC vs CAPS United FC — Rufaro Stadium.
FC Platinum vs Chapungu FC — Mandava Stadium.
Black Rhinos FC vs Bulawayo City FC
Sunday
Mutare City Rovers FC vs Shabanie Mine FC — Vengere Stadium
Bulawayo Chiefs FC vs Harare City FC — Luveve Stadium.
Dynamos FC vs ZPC Kariba FC — Rufaro Stadium.
Triangle United FC vs Yadah FC — Gibbo Stadium.
