CHICKEN Inn are setting their sights on a fruitful end in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League as they host Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium today following an early exit from the Chibuku Super Cup.
The Gamecocks played a 1-1 draw in regulation time against Yadah in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup at Luveve Stadium last Saturday only to be bundled out of the country’s only competitive cup tournament in a penalty lottery.
And now, coach Joey Antipas says the focus is on the league where they remain with 12 games and mathematically still in the race for the honours.
“We have 12 games to go and we will take it game by game. It is unfortunate that we are out of the Chibuku Super Cup, but that is the way of the football game. We now just have to concentrate on the league and hope to flourish in our last 12 games. We hope to do well so that we end the league on a good note,” Antipas said.
But it will not be easy against the Bulawayo giants, whom they beat in the first round.
The Gamecocks have not lost to Highlanders in the last three years, winning twice and the two sides have played four draws in the league.
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But Antipas is cautious.
“We don’t judge ourselves on previous results. This is a new game altogether. We plan and prepare for this one against Highlanders. History is history,” Antipas said.
Chicken Inn are on position six on the log standings with 34 points, nine behind leaders FC Platinum.
They want to keep up pace with Manica Diamonds, Highlanders (37), Ngezi Platinum (38), Simba Bhora and the pacesetters from Zvishavane.
Antipas said they were prepared for Highlanders.
“It 's a big game and we are ready for it. Highlanders are a good side, but we are ready. Everyone is okay in camp. All the players are available except (defender) Itai Mabunu who is on three yellow cards; otherwise, we have a good squad for the Highlanders game,” Antipas said.
The Gamecocks have fared fairly well in their last games, winning against Manica Diamonds, FC Platinum, and Arenel and drawing against Green Fuel.
They face a depleted Highlanders, who are without skipper Peter Muduhwa and possibly Andrew Mbeba and a sizeable number of players, who picked up knocks against Green Fuel in their Chibuku Cup 3-0 first round match last Sunday at BF.
Amongst the injured are Marvin Sibanda and Godfrey Makaruse.