CHICKEN Inn head coach Joey Antipas said the refusal by the Premier Soccer League to postpone today’s top-of-the-table clash between the GameCocks and FC Platinum has rendered the playing field uneven as the title tussle enters home stretch.
BY SAKHELENI NXUMALO
Castle Premiership log leaders Chicken Inn had four of their players away on national duty with the Warriors in Lesotho and returned to Bulawayo on Tuesday. The club’s request to have the match moved to a later date was turned down.
Antipas said this development put his side at a disadvantage in their bid to land the championship.
“We are playing on an uneven playing field because we are being forced to play when some of our players have just returned after a two-week absence on national duty. It would have been fair if PSL had moved the game, but there is nothing we can do, we just have to go on and play,” he said.
The quartet of Lawrence Mhlanga, Danny Phiri, Elvis Chipezeze and Edmore Chirambadare returned to their Bulawayo base yesterday morning and took part in the GameCocks’ afternoon training session.
FC Platinum had two of their players — Brian Muzondiwa and Marshal Mudehwe — in the Warriors squad that secured qualification to the Chan 2016 finals after a 4-2 aggregate victory over Lesotho.
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The Zvishavane-based side’s coach Norman Mapeza said the duo reported for duty yesterday morning.
“The boys who were away with the Warriors are back and they took part in this morning’s (yesterday) training session. To us it’s just like any other game and we will just go there and play our normal game,” Mapeza said.
The GameCocks lead the Castle Premiership log table with 52 points from 25 games, while second-placed FC Platinum have 48 points.
A victory for the hosts would see them open a seven-point lead, while a win for the visitors would see them cut their rivals’ lead to one point.
A stalemate would revive defending champions Dynamos’ hopes of defending their title as their 47 points from 26 games means they are still within touching distance of the top two.
Chicken Inn’s Warriors contingent carry their team’s hopes with Chipezeze in goals, Mhlanga starring in the heart of defence, captain Phiri playing a pivotal role in midfield with Chirambadare spearheading the attack.
Speedy FC Platinum winger Mudehwe could have an influence on the outcome of today’s encounter if left unchecked and his battle with tough-tacking Chicken Inn left-back Brian Mbiriri will provide an interesting sideshow.
On paper this is one tie that could provide a goal mouth action as FC Platinum are currently the highest scoring team in the top flight league with 46 goals to their credit, while Chicken Inn are second with 37 goals.
