The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
CASTLE LAGER Premier Soccer League log leaders Chicken Inn could be left to rue the decision by the PSL to shift a potential league title decider against defending champions Dynamos to Barbourfields Stadium from both their “traditional venue” Luveve, and “hunting day” Saturday. The move to shift the day and venue could cost the Gamecox “Big time” as DeMbare are well-known for taking no prisoners when playing at Emagumeni and on a Sunday afternoon.
Last season alone, DeMbare collected 10 points in the four league matches they played at Barbourfields with wins over How Mine, Bantu Rovers, Highlanders and a 0-0 draw against Chicken Inn.
This season Dynamos have also not lost at the venue with three points taken from How Mine and a point each secured against Highlanders and Tsholotsho.
Dynamos last tasted defeat at Barbourfields on 27 September 2012 when a costly own goal by their then captain Guthrie Zhokinyi handed Chicken Inn, then coached by the late Adam Ndlovu, a 1-0 triumph. That defeat saw the Glamour Boys drop to second spot as Highlanders beat Hwange 1-0 at the Colliery Stadium to go top of the log. However, Dynamos had the last laugh as they won the league on the last day of the season with a 1-1 draw with Hardbody in Gweru.
Nonetheless, Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube said they have no qualms with the fixture being played at Barbourfields, his reasons being that they prefer Emagumeni for games of such a magnitude since in their view Luveve is not favourable for big crowds. The only time the Gamecocks played Dynamos and Highlanders at Luveve was in their first season in the PSL in 2011 when they lost 2-1 to Bosso and then drew 0-0 with DeMbare.
“We have always played against Dynamos at BF apart from our first year in the league where we hosted Bosso too. We also have a good record at BF. We have won against them (Dynamos) before. As you are aware the fixtures are arranged by the PSL and we were put down to play on Sunday. We have no problem with playing on Sunday, our last game against them was on a Sunday though we played at Rufaro. We prefer BF for the big games, Luveve isn’t conducive for big crowds,’’ said Ncube.
However, a number of Chicken Inn players said they would have preferred to host the defending champions at Luveve, where they have enjoyed a good run this season.
“At times its like we are away at BF and the huge crowd backing Dynamos will also play to our advantage. But there is nothing we can do if the executive and PSL decide otherwise. The truth though is that every player wants to be where they are used to for such big games,” said one senior player.
Nonetheless, Chicken Inn head into the fixture as favourites following the 3-0 demolition they handed out to Dynamos at Rufaro in May. The Gamecocks are also seven points ahead of the Glamour Boys who have over the years been known to be more dangerous at this stage of the season.
Dynamos fans from Harare are reportedly mobilising in their numbers to come to Bulawayo and create an advantageous atmosphere for their team to walk away with the three points. Buses have been organised from the capital which will cost each fan $14 for a return trip, for a journey that usually requires an average of $30 by bus.
Silence Nyika, one of the Dynamos supporters behind the initiative said they did not have any limits as to the number of buses they will bring to Bulawayo as their goal was to paint the country’s second biggest city in DeMbare colours.
“We have organised buses for fans for the trip to Bulawayo, the journey will cost $14 to and from Harare. We want to paint the City of Kings blue and white. We have to do that for the sake our team. The ground has to be full to capacity with Dynamos fans supporting our team which has dominated the league. If we do our job as fans the team will get the three points,’’ said Nyika.
When Dynamos took on other title contenders FC Platinum in Zvishavane on 12 September, four buses made the trip to the mining town. That however, could not prevent the defending champions from being humiliated 3-1 by the Norman Mapeza coached side at Mandava Stadium.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was upbeat ahead of the clash as he has most of his key players available for this crucial clash. Only midfielder Bhekimpilo Ncube is still sidelined by injury he picked up in the 2-1 triumph over ZPC Kariba while defender Lawrence Mhlanga and midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu are back from national duty where they had travelled with the Under-23 to the Africa Games in Congo-Brazzaville. Defender Passmore Bernard sits out the match through suspension after accumulating three yellow cards in what should be the only concern for the Gamecocks coach.
Antipas, a 2010 championship winner with Motor Action is not getting away as yet on landing the biggest prize in Zimbabwean club football for the second time as he feels it is still a long way to go.
“Our preparations have gone fine, we are good to go, everyone is injury free except Bhaka. We have a full squad to choose from, the guys returning from the Under-23 give us the numbers and options compared to when they were not around and it is good for the game. That 3-0 is history, it is a new game all together on Sunday, what we know is that Dynamos will come us so we have to be organised and prepared. Every game we play to win so there is no change. It is still a long way to go, still too early to talk of the championship, we just have to wait for time to come,’’ Antipas said.
Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, in goals in all the 23 matches in which he has been beaten 16 times is sure to be in goals this afternoon with good cover expected to be Brian Mbiriri, Mhlanga, Moses Jackson and Guide Goddard. This is the backline that has the task of keeping Takesure Chinyama, Roderick Mutuma and Ralph Kawondera from scoring for the Glamour Boys.
