CHICKEN INN coach Tonderai Ndiraya has challenged his players to rediscover the hunger that sparked their recent revival as they prepare for a tough Zifa Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 clash against Ngezi Platinum Stars FC at Luveve Stadium on Sunday.
The Gamecocks head into the knockout tie seeking an immediate response after a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League defeat to Bulawayo Chiefs FC ended their recent resurgence and left Ndiraya questioning his players’ commitment.
Chicken Inn had pieced together a run of encouraging results to climb away from a difficult start to the season, but Ndiraya believes they must quickly rediscover that fighting spirit if they are to overcome one of the country's strongest teams.
“Another tough fixture! We are playing against Ngezi Platinum Stars on Sunday. A very difficult side, but we have to improve, we have to change our mentality and we have to do better than what we did today,” Ndiraya said after the loss to Bulawayo Chiefs.
“We must have the will. The will was not there today. If we want it, then everything can happen, but when we don’t, when we look flat and uninterested, then it becomes difficult.”
The former Ngezi Platinum Stars coach said his technical team would spend the week rebuilding the players’ confidence and preparing them mentally for the knockout encounter.
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“We will prepare the whole week and try to psyche the boys so that they get back to where they were before this game. Hopefully, we can really take the game to Ngezi and progress to the next round of the tournament.”
Ndiraya acknowledged the quality of his former club but said Chicken Inn must embrace the challenge if they are serious about competing for honours.
“It’s a very difficult fixture, I must admit, and it’s a team that is playing well. We have been doing well as well. If you really want to be the best, you have to beat the best. It’s as simple as that.”
Sunday's tie offers Chicken Inn an immediate chance to move past their league disappointment and revive their silverware hopes, with Ndiraya insisting that mentality will be just as important as tactics in overcoming Ngezi Platinum Stars.