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Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
ZPC Kariba’s unbeaten run will come under a stern test this afternoon at Gwanzura when they host unpredictable Chicken Inn in the first of the last matches of the first round in the Castle Lager Premiership race.
The league newcomers will be under the guidance of goalkepeer’s coach Tembo Chuma and team manager Partson Ndabambi for the second week in the absence of head coach Saul Chaminuka and his deputy Godfrey Tamirepi who are attending a Caf A licence coaching clinic.

ZPC Kariba are aiming to complete the first half of the season without losing a match.

Yesterday Ndabambi said it was going to be a tricky and tough match against the Bulawayo side who have most of their players drawn from Harare.

“They are an unpredictable side. One day they are good and the other they can easily fall. But looking at their squad it is a very strong side and you would wonder why they are not more consistent than that.

“The match is like a derby as most of their players are from Harare as well as their coach, just like our team and we know each other,” he said.

The former Gunners and Shooting Stars mentor said being a new small team means they have to respect every team but they do not fear any.

“We watched them play CAPS United last week and they have quite a number of seasoned players like Danny Phiri, Clement Matawu, Bheki Ncube and Frankson Bushire,” he said.

ZPC Kariba would be missing the trio of Limited Chikafa, Moses Makanje and Luckmore Makura through suspension.

“Limited has been part of the team for the past eight games but the available players can do the job and we are also happy that Obey Mwerahari has recovered and we also have youngsters waiting for the chance to play.”

Before last weekend, Chicken Inn had gone for five matches without defeat and coach Joey Antipas would be hoping that they bounce back to winning ways.

“We are up against a formidable side with no history in the Premiership. There is always a first time for a team to go down and anything can happen.

“But I believe if we go there with the right mentality we can win.

“I believe we are consistent now and we have to keep working hard and improve on mobility. The CAPS United defeat is now behind us and looking forward to this game,” said Antipas.

Chicken Inn will miss midfielder Danny Phiri who is injured.

Harare City welcome a Hwange side which has lost their last three matches losing to ZPC Kariba, CAPS United and Chicken Inn and have dropped from the pole position into fifth place — five points adrift of leaders Highlanders.

Fixtures
Today: ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Gwanzura).

Saturday: Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine (Mandava).

Sunday:
CAPS United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium), Black Rhinos v How Mine (Rimuka), Buffaloes v Chiredzi (Sakubva), Triangle v Chapungu (Gibbo), Highlanders v Bantu Rovers (Barbourfields).