Zimpapers Logo

Joey Antipas

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn coach Joey Antipas anticipates a tough outing when the Gamecocks travel to the Colliery on Saturday seeking to maintain their grip on top of the Premiership table with a tricky tie against Hwange.

The Gamecocks are riding high following a solid start to the season.

They will be looking to build on their momentum following last weekend’s 2-1 win over giants Highlanders in a Bulawayo derby.

Their opponents Hwange have been struggling and are currently languishing in the bottom half of the table with one win and a string of draws from 10 games.

Antipas is cautious as he wants his charges to maintain focus.

“It’s still game on. We always look forward for positive results whenever we play but the Colliery is a difficult place.

“We started off well but I usually have a chat with the boys urging them to keep focus. They need to have the right attitude always and to maintain the right mentality.

“Look, we have only played a third of the season and we still have a long way to go,” said Antipas.

Pressure is piling and their coach Nation Dube and he will have tough decisions to make as he is also wanted in Harare for the Under-23 national team where he is assistant to Callisto Pasuwa.

Dube said they were looking to build on the positives from their previous games when they face the log leaders.

“This away point against Harare City will count at the end. It’s encouraging that at least we are getting something, we just now need to convert some of these draws into wins.

“Now we are playing a side that is well-motivated. No doubt, Chicken Inn have had a very good run. Such teams are usually difficult to break down,” said Dube.

Triangle, who are second in the race, will host How Mine at Gibbo where they have had an excellent run this season.

“We would want to keep up with the pace in the race. We lost at FC Platinum but this was probably one of our best away performances this season. It’s very unfortunate to have played like that and come out losing,” said coach Kelvin Kaindu.

Harare giants CAPS United will travel to bottom of the table side Dongo Sawmill on Sunday where they hope to put their financial problems behind them.

Dongo Sawmill coach Shadreck Magurasave said they were looking forward to the match despite missing their captain Evans Chikwaikwai who is suspended this week for accumulating three yellow cards.

“CAPS United are a big team but we will try to put up a brave fight. We always aim to collect maximum points in each and every game that we play but sometimes God has other plans.

“We have to accept that and try to concentrate. The problem is that we are not playing well at home.

“But to us, the draw in our last game at Tsholotsho, since it comes in the back of two defeats in succession will be a huge motivator. It should spur us on,” said Magurasave.

Harare giants Dynamos have a date with Tshlolotsho Pirates at Rufaro on Monday while Highlanders host Whawha at Barbourfields on Sunday.

Bosso captain Felix Chindungwe is suspended alongside Chapungu striker Tineyi Chitora, Menard Mupera of How Mine and Chicken Inn midfielder Thabani Goredema.

Fixtures

Saturday

Chapungu v Flame Lily (Ascot), ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga), Buffaloes v Harare City (Sakubva)

Hwange FC Vs Chicken Inn (Colliery)

Sunday

Highlanders v Whawha (Barbourfields), Triangle v How Mine (Gibbo), Dongo Sawmill v CAPS United (Vengere)

Monday

Dynamos v Tsholotsho (Rufaro)