The Sunday Mail
THE past four league meetings between Dynamos and Chicken Inn have failed to produce a winner. Clashes between the two sides are always intense and too close to call.
Today’s installment at Rufaro could be another nail biting contest.
Chicken Inn , who have not lost to Dynamos under Joey “Mafero” Antipas, are sitting pretty at the top of the log with 15 points, a point above DeMbare.
The Gamecocks are enjoying their best start to a season since their Premiership breakthrough in 2011.
Defending champions DeMbare, the only unbeaten team in the league, are also enjoying one of their best starts in a decade. The 2010 championship winning coach Antipas has registered five wins in six matches, a remarkable improvement from last season when his side had gathered nine points at the same stage.
Antipas, one of the most experienced coaches, in the land appreciates that Dynamos will always be Dynamos and playing against them in front of their home fans will be no stroll in the park.
“I have not lost to Dynamos in a league match since I joined Chicken Inn but these encounters have always been close, too tight to predict.
“But fans should expect a very good game. We have performed pretty well so far and this kind of start gives us the platform to fight on, but I must emphasize it is still early days.
“Dynamos are unbeaten, very difficult to beat especially in front of their fans. The better team of the day will win it,” said Antipas whose side is missing influential captain and defensive shield Danny “Deco” Phiri through suspension.
Of the eight league clashes between Dynamos and Chicken Inn since 2011, five have ended a draws.
DeMbare have won twice with the Gamecocks’ sole win coming on September 26, 2012.
DeMbare assistant coach Tonderayi “Stanza” Ndiraya reckons his side’s fans will be key in deciding today’s encounter. “We have to appreciate our fans, they have always been there for us and we need them on Sunday (today).
“The good thing is that almost all our players are back from various injuries and we are spoilt for choice. We are however a bit worried about the lack of goals, but at the end of the day it is all about the three points gained,” said Ndiraya.
DeMbare have scored seven goals at a rate of 1.4 per match, a worrying statistic for a club that has the likes of Simba Nhivi, Dominic Chungwa and Kelvin Kenneth Bulaji in their striking ranks.
Chungwa and Nhivi have a goal apiece while the other goals have come from Qadr Amini, Walter Mukanga and Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo.
Chitiyo, who has been one of the most consistent players alongside the supercharged Godknows Murwira, is the club’s leading scorer with two goals and he is expected to shine once again especially in the absence of Chicken Inn skipper Phiri.
“Missing Deco (Phiri) is quiet a huge blow, he is a pillar but we will have to soldier on,” said Antipas who can call upon the services of Gweru born hard man Brian Juru.
DeMbare on their part will be without key central defender and former Chicken Inn player Sydney Linyama who has failed to recover from a bout of flu.
The gangly Linyama has shrugged off the bad boy image to form a formidable central defensive partnership with skipper Augustine Mbara.
“We are not short of replacements, we have Obey (Mwerahari), Blessing Moyo and Elisha Muroiwa who can all play at centre back,” revealed Ndiraya.
Muroiwa, who partnered Mbara in Thursday’s practice match against Division One side Mushowani Stars, looks a sure bet to start this afternoon.
DeMbare’s defence will have to be on the lookout for Chicken Inn’s top scorer Edmore Chirambadare (3), who clinched the Southern Region Division One Golden Boot with Tsholotsho FC last season.
Today’s fixtures
Highlanders v Caps United (BF), Buffaloes v Chapungu (Sakubva), Hwange v Dongo Sawmill (Colliery), Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo), Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro) ALL MATCHES KICK OFF AT 3PM
