Sports / Local
Chipangano takes on Chicken Inn
26 Apr 2013 at 04:21hrs | Views
IT will be a clash of wounded lions at the Colliery Stadium on Sunday when Hwange FC plays host to Chicken Inn.
Both clubs are pressed for a win after losing their last games.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders, still trying to come to terms with what happened at Rufaro Stadium last Sunday, will play host to army side, Black Rhinos at Barbourfields Stadium on the same day.
The weekend game is important for both Hwange and Chicken Inn with Hwange seeking their first victory of the season while Chicken Inn is keen on getting back on track for their championship campaign.
Chipangano who fought against relegation to the wire last season anchor the log after five games with only three points.
Hwange coach Nation Dube has seen his charges collecting two points at home in identical one-all draws against army side Black Rhinos and fellow miners How Mine. They picked another point on the road against Motor Action in their first game of the season before losing 4-2 to Buffaloes in Mutare and 1-0 to Black Mambas in Harare last weekend.
Dube said failure to concentrate for the whole match has led to them losing points.
He conceded that they are feeling the heat.
"You know if you are not playing well you tend to feel some pressure from everywhere but in as far as our preparations are concerned everything is on track. We do not have any injuries and the boys are raring to go. I have been telling them that it's high time we start thinking about winning because it's a result we are yet to get. We have done everything possible to get maximum points but we tend to lose concentration and that has resulted in us dropping points.
"My players are physically fit but it is their mental strength that worries me. As it is we are working on their mindset and I am sure we are going to win our next game," said Dube.
He ruled out the issue of home advantage saying, "Everyone is capable of winning away and the issue of home advantage is neither here nor there, we just have to concentrate throughout the game."
Hwange lost a number of players among them goalkeeper Petros Mhari, Daniel Kamunenga, Francisco Zvekumbawire and Aaron Katebe.
They still have some seasoned players in their squad like veteran goalkeeper Timothy "Shisha" Sibanda, Andrew Chuma, Farai Vimisayi, former Soccer Star of the Year finalist Nkosana Siwela and Gilbert Zulu who are expected to form the backbone of the team. They will however miss Erick Chipeta who will be with the national team in Zambia.
Chipangano has to be at their best to stop the Gamecocks who have been creating chances but failing to convert.
Chicken Inn has seven points, having won two against Triangle and Tripple B, lost to FC Platinum and Monomotapa and held Dynamos to a one-all draw.
The Gamecocks coach Mandla Mpofu who saw his charges surrender a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at home to Monomotapa, is confident that his team will bounce back to winning ways.
"These are trying times for us and I am glad that they happened this early and now we have to remain focused, regroup and hope to pass this phase. We have accepted the past results and what is important is to move on.
"I have confidence in my players that we are going to win and if you look at the log, we are not far from the leaders who have 12 points. We have been working hard on our finishing and I am sure by Monday next week, we will have collected maximum points from Hwange," Mpofu said.
Tendai Ndoro missed a plethora of scoring chances against Monomotapa after coming one on one with the visiting goalkeeper five times but failed to score.
Mpofu said he was happy that his team was creating chances and all that was left was to work on the finishing.
Fixtures
Saturday: FC Platinum v Triangle (Mandava), Caps United v Black Mambas (Gwanzura), Harare City v How Mine (Rufaro), Motor Action v Buffaloes (Motor Action Sports Club)
Sunday: Tripple B v Dynamos (Mandava), Monomotapa v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery).
Both clubs are pressed for a win after losing their last games.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders, still trying to come to terms with what happened at Rufaro Stadium last Sunday, will play host to army side, Black Rhinos at Barbourfields Stadium on the same day.
The weekend game is important for both Hwange and Chicken Inn with Hwange seeking their first victory of the season while Chicken Inn is keen on getting back on track for their championship campaign.
Chipangano who fought against relegation to the wire last season anchor the log after five games with only three points.
Hwange coach Nation Dube has seen his charges collecting two points at home in identical one-all draws against army side Black Rhinos and fellow miners How Mine. They picked another point on the road against Motor Action in their first game of the season before losing 4-2 to Buffaloes in Mutare and 1-0 to Black Mambas in Harare last weekend.
Dube said failure to concentrate for the whole match has led to them losing points.
He conceded that they are feeling the heat.
"You know if you are not playing well you tend to feel some pressure from everywhere but in as far as our preparations are concerned everything is on track. We do not have any injuries and the boys are raring to go. I have been telling them that it's high time we start thinking about winning because it's a result we are yet to get. We have done everything possible to get maximum points but we tend to lose concentration and that has resulted in us dropping points.
"My players are physically fit but it is their mental strength that worries me. As it is we are working on their mindset and I am sure we are going to win our next game," said Dube.
He ruled out the issue of home advantage saying, "Everyone is capable of winning away and the issue of home advantage is neither here nor there, we just have to concentrate throughout the game."
Hwange lost a number of players among them goalkeeper Petros Mhari, Daniel Kamunenga, Francisco Zvekumbawire and Aaron Katebe.
They still have some seasoned players in their squad like veteran goalkeeper Timothy "Shisha" Sibanda, Andrew Chuma, Farai Vimisayi, former Soccer Star of the Year finalist Nkosana Siwela and Gilbert Zulu who are expected to form the backbone of the team. They will however miss Erick Chipeta who will be with the national team in Zambia.
Chipangano has to be at their best to stop the Gamecocks who have been creating chances but failing to convert.
Chicken Inn has seven points, having won two against Triangle and Tripple B, lost to FC Platinum and Monomotapa and held Dynamos to a one-all draw.
The Gamecocks coach Mandla Mpofu who saw his charges surrender a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at home to Monomotapa, is confident that his team will bounce back to winning ways.
"These are trying times for us and I am glad that they happened this early and now we have to remain focused, regroup and hope to pass this phase. We have accepted the past results and what is important is to move on.
"I have confidence in my players that we are going to win and if you look at the log, we are not far from the leaders who have 12 points. We have been working hard on our finishing and I am sure by Monday next week, we will have collected maximum points from Hwange," Mpofu said.
Tendai Ndoro missed a plethora of scoring chances against Monomotapa after coming one on one with the visiting goalkeeper five times but failed to score.
Mpofu said he was happy that his team was creating chances and all that was left was to work on the finishing.
Fixtures
Saturday: FC Platinum v Triangle (Mandava), Caps United v Black Mambas (Gwanzura), Harare City v How Mine (Rufaro), Motor Action v Buffaloes (Motor Action Sports Club)
Sunday: Tripple B v Dynamos (Mandava), Monomotapa v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery).
Source - chronicle
