BY FORTUNE MBELE HIGHLANDERS coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu is full of confidence ahead of the Bulawayo derby against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium (BF) tomorrow.

Despite his side sitting on a 10th on the log-table with 14 points, 12 behind the second-placed Chicken Inn, Mpofu warned the Gamecocks to come well-prepared for the crunch tie.

“We have created a hostile environment at Barbourfields Stadium. It is not going to be easy. If they (Chicken Inn) are saying they want to win this year’s championship they will have to be at their best on Sunday because we are not going to give them any chance,” Mpofu said.

He is adamant Highlanders remain in the running for championship.

“We are playing Chicken Inn and we are saying to ourselves to be champions you have to win derbies and we want to win against Chicken Inn. There is no excuse; If we are to achieve our objectives these are the teams to beat and we want to go out there on Sunday and make sure we beat Chicken Inn at all costs,” Mpofu said.

Highlanders could miss the service of Nqobizitha Masuku and Stanley Ngala who were down with flu and only resumed training on Thursday.

Bosso have had a good preparation for the match beating Dynamos in the Independence Day Trophy final at BF on April 18 and the FC Platinum match at Mandava Stadium last Saturday, which, however, was abandoned.

Chicken Inn have had a mixed run-in, falling to 3-0 shocking 3-0 defeat to WhaWha away at Ascot Stadium, before recording a win over struggling Bulawayo City at Luveve Stadium last week.

Coach Joey Antipas will also be looking forward to a win as his side battles the top spot on the log-table with Dynamos.

The GameCocks bank on their top scorers Brian Muza and Marlvin Hwata.

Meanwhile, another derby in the City of Kings and Queens is in the offing this afternoon when struggling Bulawayo City host neighbours Bulawayo Chiefs at BF.

The Philani “Beefy” Ncube-coached Bulawayo City have only managed one win in 12 games, drew three and have lost eight matches and it is not looking good for the local authority side as they anchor the log-standings with a measly six points.

Beefy’s counterpart Nilton Terroso said the win against WhaWha last week will give them confidence going forward as they finally remembered how to win.

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