BANTU Rovers would be looking to improve their home performance when they face Chicken Inn in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium this afternoon.
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Tshintsha Guluva have won just two matches in seven outings and would be out to pull an upset and collect maximum points. Coach Methembe Ndlovu said although it would be a tough match they were aiming for a win.
“It is a tough match and they (Chicken Inn) have the experience and have had a better start to the season than we have and have confidence. We are looking to improve on our record especially when it comes to home games. It is crucial that we win home games,” he said.
Ndlovu said it had been difficult preparing for today’s match, but for then that is not an excuse as Chicken Inn also faced probably the same difficulties.
He said: “We will be without a number of players. Teenage (Hadebe) is out for about four weeks, Emmanuel (Dube) needs to see a specialist. We initially thought his injury was not that bad, but we have been advised that he has to see a specialist. Nqo (Nqobizitha Masuku) and Tafadzwa Kutinyu will undergo a late fitness test today (yesterday).”
Bantu Rovers won their first local derby against How Mine 3-1 and beat Chapungu 2-0, but have lost three matches on the trot.
Chicken Inn who last played another local derby against How Mine and lost 1-2, will be hoping to improve.
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“It is another local derby and what we are looking for is an improvement. As you know all derbies are crucial so we are going to go out there to make the best of it,” coach Joey Antipas said. He said they will be without three of their key players.
“Danny Phiri is still with the national team Ben Nyahunzvi is out injured and (Charles) Mutero will start his suspension for the red card. We are going to make a decision on him (Brian Mbiriri) today (yesterday),” he said.
Mbiriri has missed a couple of the team’s matches due to injury while Mutero is suspended after being red-carded during the How Mine match.
Chicken Inn are on position 10 with nine points while Bantu Rovers are on 12th with six points.
Fixtures: Today: Bantu Rovers v Chicken Inn (Luveve)
Tomorrow: How Mine v Caps United (Luveve), Triangle United v Buffaloes (Gibbo), Chapungu v Hwange (Ascot, SS9), Dynamos v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Black Rhinos v ZPC Kariba (Rimuka)
Thursday: Shabanie Mine v Chiredzi (Maglas, SS9), Highlanders v Harare City (Barbourfields).
