WITH a point separating FC Platinum and Chicken Inn in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, an intriguing encounter is expected at Mandava Stadium tomorrow when the two clash in a league match. SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
FC Platinum are fifth on the log table with 42 points from 27 games while Chicken Inn are a point behind from the same number of games.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas predicted a tough battle in Zvishavane after both teams drew their mid-week assignments. Platinum picked up a point against Caps United on the road to remain unbeaten in five matches while Chicken Inn were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Triangle. 
“Once again we have a tough assignment ahead,” he said. “FC Platinum are a good side and they have been in good form. They have been getting crucial points in their assignments.
“However, we need to go and get something in Zvishavane. We need to raise our tempo. Against Triangle we failed to raise our tempo. Maybe it’s because we have played three games in about six days. We hope that fatigue will not creep in. We just have to believe that the boys can do it.”
Some of the players in Chicken Inn’s camp include Mkhokheli Dube, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Brian Mbiriri, Thabani Goredema, Lawrence Mhlanga and Canaan Nkomo.
However, Antipas said they were assessing the injured midfielder Clemence Matawu, Passmore Benard and Danny Phiri ahead of tomorrow’s match.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza said all the games were difficult and this was is no exception.
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“We are taking the match against Chicken Inn very seriously because they are a point behind us,” he said.
“We hope everything will go well on Saturday (tomorrow). There are no easy games. All the games have been very tough because other teams are fighting for the championship while others are fighting relegation.
“The matches will be very tough until the end of the season.”
Mapeza has in his books Obrey Chirwa, Thabani Kamusoko, Qadr Amini, Daniel Vheremu, Kelvin and Elvis Moyo and Tarisai Rukanda. In addition, he can call up the experience of Allen Gahadzikwa, Donald Ngoma, Benjamin Marere and the pace of youngsters Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona.
