Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Writer
CHICKEN Inn defensive duo of towering Itai Mabunu and Arthur Chinda have been ruled out of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Simba Bhora to be played at Luveve Stadium this afternoon.
Mabunu and Chinda, who have been consistent in the Gamecocks defence will watch the match from the terraces owing to injuries they picked up in their Week 11 game against city rivals, Bulawayo Chiefs.
“It’s unfortunate that we will not have the services of Itai and Arthur owing to knocks they recently picked up. Our team doctors advised that they are not fully fit to play. It’s a big setback, but we are a team made up of very talented players. We are very positive that those who will be picked up will represent us well,” said Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas.
However, the Gamecocks will welcome the services of veterans Danny “Deco” Phiri and George Majika.
Phiri, a former Warriors captain, is coming from a two-game suspension owing to a red card he picked up when they played against Yadah Stars. Majika, a midfield genius was in the club’s treatment room.
In Simba Bhora, the Simbisa Brands-sponsored side, faces a tricky tie as the club boasts of a number of talented players that include Mzilikazi-bred Junior Makunike, Malvin Mkolo, Billy Veremu, Mthokozisi Msebe, Walter Musona, Patson Jaure and Perfect Chikwende among others.
This will be Simba Bhora’s third visit to the City of Kings and Queens in 12 matches.
But the two previous ones in Bulawayo were not positive for the Go Buju Go boys.
The free-spending side lost by similar 1-0 scorelines to Highlanders and Bulawayo Chiefs.
The Tonderai Ndiraya-mentored side, who are in their second season in the elite football league, have won their last two matches, beating defending champions, Ngezi Platinum 2-1 on match day 11 to add to their 2-1 victory over Chegutu Pirates on match day 10.
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In Harare, it will be a double delight for the fans who will converge on Rufaro Stadium for today’s potentially explosive derby showdown between long-time nemesis CAPS United and Dynamos.
This is because, the stadium owners, Harare City Council have installed television screens that will enable the fans to also watch the English Premier League’s (EPL) title deciding matches, which will be beamed soon after the end of the Makepekepe and DeMbare tie.
Dubbed the Super Sunday in the EPL, the matches will pit defending champions Manchester City, with 88 points against West Ham at Etihad while title rivals Arsenal welcome Everton on 86 points at Emirates.
The domestic derby kicks off at 3pm with the EPL title deciders getting underway two hours later.
Crucially, the EPL matches will start on or about 15 minutes after the end of the CAPS United against Dynamos showdown, which would have somewhat left some fans torn between the two leagues’ big games.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume said they had decided to provide television screens, bar and catering for those seeking to watch the English matches after being served with the Castle Lager derby dish.
The other local premiership match set for this afternoon will see high-riding Manica Diamonds take on Greenfuel at Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.
Greenfuel are now under the guidance of Saul Chaminuka who left newboys Bikita Minerals.
Greenfuel parted ways with Rodwell Dhlakama. – @FungaiMuderere.
