Chicken Inn ready for Peter Ndlovu's Mamelodi Sundowns

Zimbabwe's representatives in the CAF Champions League Chicken Inn are unfazed by the rich vein of form that has been struck by their preliminary round opponents, Mamelodi Sundowns.

The two sides clash on Saturday in the first leg with the return fixture in two weeks time.

With the club having entered week five of preparations and the countdown to the big game getting faster, the Gamecocks expressed their eagerness to impress on Saturday.

Their preparations have included a 10-day tour of duty in Zambia where they failed to win a single match.

The Gamecocks who had three players with the national team in Rwanda and three more who were injured, lost to Azam of Tanzania, Zesco of Zambia and managed a draw with Zanaco.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas, however, believes there were more positives than negatives and is confident the return of inspirational skipper Danny 'Deco' Phiri and midfield maestro Clemence Matawu, coupled by hard work might help beat Mamelodi Sundowns.

Teenage Hadebe, Danny Phiri and Matawu are yet to regain full fitness at a time the Gamecocks need to be at their best to shut out the marauding Sundowns attack that includes on fire Warriors forward Khama Billiat, Keegan Dolly, Teko Modise and Colombian hitman Leonardo Castro.

Chicken Inn players Edmore Chirambadare, Tafadzwa Raphael Kutinyu and captain Danny Phiri are not moved by the big stature of their opponents.

Highlanders are the last team to bring CAF champions League action to Bulawayo over five years ago and football fans are expected to fill Barbourfields stadium to cheer the Gamecocks on.