Mhofu warns Joey, Taurai
By Godknows Matarutse
HARARE – Veteran coach Sunday Chidzambwa has a few words of advice for his counterparts Joey Antipas and Taurai Mangwiro after their teams’ recent performances in African inter-club competitions.
Antipas’ Chicken Inn were the toast of football-mad Zimbabweans after they defeated super-rich South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in the first leg of their African Champions League preliminary round cash at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.
Mitchell Katsvairo scored the all-important goal for the Gamecocks shortly before the halftime break to halt Sundowns’ unbeaten run which had stretched for 19 games in the South African league.
With tough second legs scheduled in two weeks’ time, Chicken Inn and Harare City still have a lot of work to do to book their places in the next round of the competitions according to Chidzambwa.
“We all know Sundowns, they are a good side capable of doing anything. It’s not going to be an easy game for Chicken Inn but the encouraging thing is that they did not concede at home,” Chidzambwa told the Daily News.
“I think what is important for Chicken Inn is to go there and get an away goal that will be very crucial for them. I liked Antipas’ game plan in the first leg. He also has a lot of experience in Africa.
“He needs to take the same approach of defending and hitting them on the counter. Sundowns are not the type of opponents to park the bus only because they can create and score. The important thing is that they did not concede and if they can get at least a goal the better.”
Some 435km away in the capital, Mangwiro’s Harare City laboured to a 3-2 first leg win over AS Adema of Madagascar in the African Confederation Cup preliminary round tie at Rufaro Stadium.
New signing Raphael Manuvire scored a brace while another pre-season arrival Ronald Chitiyo chipped in with the other strike for Mangwiro’s men.
Chidzambwa said Harare City also have a relatively difficult task in the second leg after allowing Adema to score two away goals.
“Harare City; I did not watch the match but I heard they created several scoring chances but failed to score,” he said.
“Obviously, in these competitions teams tend to thrive using home advantage. They should go to Madagascar and expect a different type of game from the one at the weekend. It will be healthy for City if they go there and get an early goal.
“It will definitely unsettle the home side. The good thing is that they won at home. City have got a very good coach in Taurai Mangwiro and I am sure they will also go there and rectify their mistakes.”
Chidzambwa, who is now coach of ZPC Kariba, has a proven track record in African inter-club football competition after leading Dynamos to the final of the 1998 Champions League final which they lost 4-2 on aggregate to Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas.
Chidzambwa also made history by becoming the first coach to lead Zimbabwe to qualify for a major continental tournament by masterminding the Warriors’ ticket for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia. Daily News
