Chicken Inn coach Rahman Gumbo believes players will have more bearing on the result of the derby against Highlanders more than the input of the coaches.

A lot is at stake for the two clubs who have had similar scenarios in the past few games with pressure mounting on the two respective coaches.

Highlanders have lost their last three consecutive games while Gumbo failed to build from the momentum he had in his first assignments when he beat Bosso 2-0 in the reverse fixture.

Pressure is beginning to creep in for Erol Akbay while Gumbo is on the edge with Chicken Inn’s executive coming out in support of their coach the past week after rumours that he had been sacked.

“In games like these it is usually the players who decides who wins the match depending on who is hungrier for the win. These are players who know each other well off the field as they stay together and some are even friends,” said Gumbo.

“As a coach, it’s one of those games and the preparations are just the same but of course will be looking to do well.”

Highlanders who are going through a lean spell have been stagnant on third position with 31 points for the past three weeks while Chicken Inn are a distant 10th on the log standings, a pale shadow of their last season’s performance in which they were crowned champions.

Chicken Inn have dominated duels between the two clubs, losing only once in the 11 times that they have played against Highlanders. The Gamecocks have won five times and drawn five times.

Obadiah Tarumbwa and Clement Matawu were on target in the last encounter at Barbourfields stadium.
 
Sunday Fixtures
Dynamos v Bulawayo City (Rufaro), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Hwange v Caps United (Colliery)