Chicken Inn seek first win against Buffaloes

Sport
TITLE-CHASING Chicken Inn take the long trip to Mutare to lock horns with wounded Buffaloes in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva Stadium today.

TITLE-CHASING Chicken Inn take the long trip to Mutare to lock horns with wounded Buffaloes in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva Stadium today.

FORTUNE MBELE

The GameCox faltered before the break suffering a 1-2 home defeat to How Mine at Luveve on August 14 and have to get things right against the army side who held them to a 2-2 draw at Luveve Stadium in May after having led the soldiers 2-0 in the second half.

Both Chicken Inn and Buffaloes lost before the break. Buffaloes were dismissed 0-2 by Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane on August 14.

Chicken head coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu said a repeat of the May scenario would not be acceptable and getting three points would be of utmost importance to him.

“It is going to be a tough match, but for us it is important to get the three points and be counted as the big guys. We really need those three points,” Mpofu, who will be missing skipper Felix Chindungwe and midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri due to suspension, said.

The two took advantage of the suspension and travelled to Harare where they joined the Warriors camp for the World Cup tie against Mozambique on Sunday.

Also missing in action will be Guide Goddard due to injury.

Chicken Inn have in camp the likes of Kudakwashe Mahachi, Thabani Goredema, Marshal Marima, Clement Matawu, Dillon Chivandire and Evans Chikwaikwai.

However, Buffaloes would seem to have the edge over their counterparts whom they beat 1-0 last year at Luveve before sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Sakubva in the reverse fixture.

Coach Timothy Masachi saidhe was gunning for three points against Chicken Inn although he would be missing three key players in his squad due to injury. Veteran striker Wonder Sithole is still out of action while Michael Mageja and Roy Mwenga will also not be part of the team.

Masachi, however, still has Jacob Muzokomba and Prosper Matizanadzo who could spell disaster for the GameCox.

“We are looking forward to a win tomorrow (today). They have not beaten us since we came into the league last year. We held them to a 2-2 draw at Luveve this year where we beat them 1-0 last year and drew 1-1 at home. We have been on top of them and hope to continue that way,” Masachi said.