Sports / Soccer
Mapeza bullish ahead of Chicken Inn clash
06 Jul 2016 at 06:40hrs | Views
A potentially explosive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter is on the cards at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon when two clubs bubbling with confidence FC Platinum and champions Chicken Inn face off.
Both sides recorded morale boosting victories, with Chicken Inn dumping table toppers Highlanders 2-0, while FC Platinum were 2-1 winners over Mutare City Rovers.
What makes today's encounter even more exciting is that Chicken Inn are keen to return their title defence on track, and a win over championship contenders FC Platinum will see the closing in on the pace setters.
Chicken Inn are seventh on the league table with 17 points and a win today will see them moving two places up the ladder.
The champions will not have an easy game as FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has declared that his team is coming to Bulawayo for a positive result.
The Zvishavane side is second on the log, but tied on 26 points with Highlanders and can dislodge the Bulawayo giants should they draw or beat Chicken Inn.
"All the matches are important and as a club our objective is to collect as many points as possible. Looking at the Chicken Inn game, I think it will be a massive game because they also want to build on their win," said Mapeza.
"What is important for us is to come to Bulawayo and get at least a point. If you talk of pressure, yes we're feeling positive pressure because of the fine form we're enjoying. When you're winning, the players' confidence level rises. However, we mustn't be over confident, we just have to keep our feet on the ground," he said.
FC Platinum have a formidable side just like Chicken Inn and the today's battle will be won and lost in the midfield.
Chicken Inn midfielders ran riot over Highlanders on Sunday, with veteran Clemence Matawu showing that there is no substitute for experience, while Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Christopher Samakweri and Thabani Goredemda aptly complemented him.
Danny Phiri is likely to play his final game for the champions before bidding farewell to join South African side Golden Arrows.
Today, Chicken Inn's midfielders face a side that will test their capabilities.
FC Platinum's midfielders at Mapeza's disposal include Winston Mhango, Nqobizitha Masuku, Marshal Mudehwe, Ishmael Wadi and Walter Musona.
Players FC Platinum should lookout for include striker Obidiah Tarumbwa, attacking link Darryl Nyandoro and right-back Passmore Bernard, who is dangerous whenever he overlaps.
The platinum miners also have the likes of defenders Kevin Moyo, Gift Bello and Elvis Moyo, as well as forwards Brian Muzondiwa, Rodwell Chinyengetere and Tatenda Dzumbunu that they can bank on for positive results.
FC Platinum's goalkeeper and captain Petros Mhari will be expected to start ahead of Wallace Magalane, while Chicken Inn's goal will be guarded by Elvis Chipezeze.
Fixture
Today: Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Barbourfields Stadium)
Both sides recorded morale boosting victories, with Chicken Inn dumping table toppers Highlanders 2-0, while FC Platinum were 2-1 winners over Mutare City Rovers.
What makes today's encounter even more exciting is that Chicken Inn are keen to return their title defence on track, and a win over championship contenders FC Platinum will see the closing in on the pace setters.
Chicken Inn are seventh on the league table with 17 points and a win today will see them moving two places up the ladder.
The champions will not have an easy game as FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has declared that his team is coming to Bulawayo for a positive result.
The Zvishavane side is second on the log, but tied on 26 points with Highlanders and can dislodge the Bulawayo giants should they draw or beat Chicken Inn.
"All the matches are important and as a club our objective is to collect as many points as possible. Looking at the Chicken Inn game, I think it will be a massive game because they also want to build on their win," said Mapeza.
"What is important for us is to come to Bulawayo and get at least a point. If you talk of pressure, yes we're feeling positive pressure because of the fine form we're enjoying. When you're winning, the players' confidence level rises. However, we mustn't be over confident, we just have to keep our feet on the ground," he said.
FC Platinum have a formidable side just like Chicken Inn and the today's battle will be won and lost in the midfield.
Danny Phiri is likely to play his final game for the champions before bidding farewell to join South African side Golden Arrows.
Today, Chicken Inn's midfielders face a side that will test their capabilities.
FC Platinum's midfielders at Mapeza's disposal include Winston Mhango, Nqobizitha Masuku, Marshal Mudehwe, Ishmael Wadi and Walter Musona.
Players FC Platinum should lookout for include striker Obidiah Tarumbwa, attacking link Darryl Nyandoro and right-back Passmore Bernard, who is dangerous whenever he overlaps.
The platinum miners also have the likes of defenders Kevin Moyo, Gift Bello and Elvis Moyo, as well as forwards Brian Muzondiwa, Rodwell Chinyengetere and Tatenda Dzumbunu that they can bank on for positive results.
FC Platinum's goalkeeper and captain Petros Mhari will be expected to start ahead of Wallace Magalane, while Chicken Inn's goal will be guarded by Elvis Chipezeze.
Fixture
Today: Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Barbourfields Stadium)
Source - chronicle
