Ndiraya Confident Chicken Inn Can Respond Against Manica Diamonds After Encouraging Display at Ngezi

Chicken Inn FC head coach Tonderai Ndiraya believes his side has shown positive signs despite recent setbacks and is confident the Gamecocks can respond strongly when they face Manica Diamonds FC at Luveve Stadium on Saturday.

The Gamecocks suffered defeat in their previous outing against Ngezi Platinum Stars, but Ndiraya believes the performance from his players provided encouragement and showed clear improvement compared to previous matches.

“It has been difficult to lift the boys after the defeat at Ngezi Platinum last weekend, but I think we are also getting encouragement from the performance in that game,” Ndiraya said.

“The performance was really good, if I must say. I think we saw a very different team from the team that was playing before. That is really giving us hope.”

The coach believes returning to Luveve Stadium gives Chicken Inn an important opportunity to turn performances into results, with the team determined to make home advantage count.

“This week we are back at our home ground, and something that we have spoken about as a group is that we really need to start collecting maximum points, especially when we play at our fortress, that is Luveve Stadium,” he said.

Chicken Inn will be hoping to use the support of their home fans as they look to climb higher on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table. The Gamecocks currently sit in 12th position with 24 points after Matchday 21 and understand the importance of collecting points during this stage of the campaign.

Ndiraya revealed that the team has some injury concerns heading into the match but believes the squad has enough depth to deal with the situation.

“So we are ready. The boys are ready. The boys are looking good, but it’s just unfortunate that we have lost some of our key players through injuries,” he said.

“Mpumelelo Bhebhe is out, he got a knock last weekend. Then of course Farai Tsinakwadi is also out. Brandon Rendo has been out for some weeks now.”

However, the Chicken Inn coach remains confident in the players available to step up and contribute when called upon.

“But in their absence, we have got able replacements, and we are just going to manage the whole situation, make sure that we collect maximum points,” Ndiraya added.

“We really need the points, and we are going to do our very best to collect points, especially at our home.”

The Gamecocks will now look to match their improved performances with a positive result when Manica Diamonds visit Luveve Stadium, as Ndiraya and his players aim to deliver an important victory for the club and supporters.