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Mukudzei Chingwere Sports Reporter
TWO-time championship winning coach Joey “Mafero” Antipas says it is too early for anyone to be branded favourites to win the Castle Lager Premiership title this year. Chicken Inn, champions FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum, Dynamos and CAPS United are tipped by many to be crowned champions this year.

Antipas will take his men for a date against newboys Nichrut at Ascot.
“It is still early days to talk about who is the favourite, some teams have started well, but it is early to say they are the favourites.

“For us, as Chicken Inn, we take each game as it comes, we started well and we will like to go on like that.
“Against Nichrut, it is a tricky match, they are a tricky opponents as they won their first match and we will have to be at our best to get a good result,” said Antipas.

Nichrut coach John Nyikadzino is relying on the proximity of Shurugwi and Gweru, which makes it easier for the supporters to come and cheer their team.

Chicken Inn last year stormed out of Ascot, causing the abandonment of their Chibuku Super Cup match against Yadah Stars.
“We are very happy that we will be playing our home matches in Gweru which is closer to Shurugwi than Zvishavane and our supporters will also come to the match in their numbers since it is just a dollar to come to Gweru, unlike $4 to go to Zvishavane,” said Nyikadzino.

“We beat Chicken Inn on two occasions when I was still the coach of Chapungu at Ascot, it is different now because I am with a new team, but that can give the guys some psychological boost.’’