LOG leaders Chicken Inn believe the top-of-the-table clash against FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium tomorrow is not a title decider, but will give the winners “a spring in their step”, as the championship race staggers towards the finishing line.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
The GameCocks sit pretty at the top of the league table, with 52 points from 25 matches, while FC Platinum trail behind on 48 points.
Defending champions Dynamos, in third place, all but surrendered the title chase after another stumble in a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Flame Lily on Saturday which left them with 47 points from 26 matches.
They had drawn 0-0 in their previous match against Harare City and went into the match against Flame Lily, seeking maximum points to close in on the log leaders who were inactive at the weekend.
But their failure at Flame Lily handed the destiny of the championship firmly in the hands of Chicken Inn and FC Platinum, although they still have a mathematical chance of laying their hands on the coveted trophy for the fifth successive term. However, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas believes there is still plenty of football left.
He said the fixture against FC Platinum was not a title decider arguing there were still four games to be played.
“This fixture against FC Platinum is not a title-decider because there will still be four games left in the campaign. But whoever wins this fixture will have a spring in their step. It’s a very important fixture which is hard to predict. FC Platinum are in top form and it will be a difficult match. We beat them 2-1 in our first meeting and to complete a double over them, we will have to work very hard,” Antipas said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The Chicken Inn gaffer, however, said they would be at a disadvantage as they had five players who were with the national team in Lesotho.
“We don’t know when they will be coming. We will need to assess them when they come in,” Antipas said.
The GameCocks had captain Danny Phiri, striker Edmore Chirambadare, Lawrence Mhlanga, Tafadzwa Kutinyu and goalkeeper Elvin Chipezeze with the national team in Lesotho, where they were playing against the hosts in a Chan qualifier.
The Warriors drew 1-1 with Lesotho to qualify for the finals in Rwanda on a 4-2 aggregate victory and were due to arrive in Harare last night.
Chicken Inn won their previous match against How Mine 2-1, while Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum overcame struggling WhaWha by three goals to nil.
Mapeza is the only coach who has not tasted defeat in the last five matches, having won four and drawn one, while Chicken Inn lost one and won the other four. Dynamos lost one, won two before two straight draws.
Based on current form, FC Platinum start as favourites and should Mapeza win this crucial tie, it will set the stage for one of the most intriguing conclusions to the title race.
