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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
INJURED midfielder Tendai Samanja will watch from the sidelines as his new side Harare City battle to recover from a poor start when they host Chicken Inn in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro this afternoon. The Sunshine Boys were handed a shock home defeat by Premiership debutantes Tsholotsho Pirates when they went down 0-1 at Rufaro last week.

Their coach Taurai Mangwiro yesterday said starting the season by playing two games at home was supposed to give them a good head start and now they are targeting to upset Chicken Inn.

However, defensive midfielder Samanja and injury-prone striker Francesco Zekumbawira are doubtful starters.

“Samanja has a knee problem and I don’t think he will make it for the match. We are also still to decide on Francisco Zekumbawira who couldn’t finish the game against Tsholotsho last week because of injury,” said Mangwiro.

“But on a positive note we welcomed two players from the Under-23 squad – Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye and Tino Kadewere. Everyone is focused.

“We dropped points at home last week and we are looking to atone for that shock defeat. It was unfortunate but we cannot continue dropping points at home.

“I am sure the boys have drawn lessons from last week’s defeat. We didn’t do much as far as creating opportunities was concerned although we controlled the possession.

“But we have been conducting our business well after that defeat and we are hoping to get it right this time. We have said let’s put that defeat behind our backs and concentrate on the job at hand.

“It promises to be a bruising match because Chicken Inn are no small team. They got off to a flying start when they won their first game last week and, obviously, they are looking to maintain the momentum.”

Mangwiro joined Harare City during the off-season and has assembled a formidable side after bringing on board the likes of Samanja, Nicholas Alifandika, Honey Chimutimunzeve and goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube who followed him when he left CAPS United.

Harare City have an exciting squad which includes Talent Chawapihwa, William Madondo, who was poor last week, and Martin Vengesai.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas is not intimidated as he looks to notch up a second set of maximum points following last week’s 2-1 win over Flame Lily.

Antipas said he is happy with his team’s progress and are aiming to escape unscathed this afternoon.

“We are almost getting there although there it looks is still some work to be done. But we want to go out there and show that we are a decent side.

“I am happy we have no injuries to talk about. There is a full squad to choose our team from,” said Antipas.