Buffaloes draw at home

marred by glaring inept officiating by a jittery Harare referee Nkanyiso Moyo at Sakubva yesterday.
Judging by his performance yesterday, it would be greatly unfair to align Moyo to either Buffaloes or Chicken Inn but the Harare referee was just a bundle of nerves as he made a number of highly questionable decisions throughout the match which disadvantaged both teams.
The home team dominated play in the first half and their spirited efforts to get an early goal were only thwarted by the outstanding Chicken Inn goalkeeper Liberty Chirava.
However, Saul Chaminuka’s men found the target in the 21st minute after Chicken Inn centre half Godfrey Godard needlessly hacked down a goalbound Philip Tembani in the box and at least the disappointing Harare referee this time did the right thing by duly pointing to the spot.
And up stepped goalkeeper Tapiwa Mafunga, who was drafted into Buffaloes first starting line up in the absence of the injured team’s number one Hope Bere, made no mistake from the spot, sending Chirava the wrong way. The home team hung on to the lead and only gave in after the break in the 56th minute when defender Godard headed home a rebound from close range to restore parity for the Gamecocks. As expected both teams blamed the referee for spoiling an otherwise entertaining match.
Chicken Inn coach Adam Ndlovu blamed the referee for giving defender Godard his marching orders.
“It is worth mentioning that the referee was a bit confused. I do not think that we deserved to have Godard sent off,” he said.
Buffaloes’ assistant coach Sicho Masachi also blamed the referee for a number of dubious decisions made during the match. “We played well, especially in the first half but somehow failed to carry on with that fine performance in the second half. I think the referee is also to blame,” said Masachi.

Teams
Buffaloes: T Mafunga; S Nkata (72nd minute); T Ndlovu; M Waerera; K Tembani; S Muchabaya; R Mwenga (M Dumbura 80th minute); P Bamusi; M Mageja; P Matizanadzo; P Tembani (N Musvipa 63rd minute).
Chicken Inn: L Chirava; P Majuta; B Mbiriri; F Chindungwe; G Godard; M Ncube; S Linyama; T Goredema; K Mahachi (E Chikwaikwai 56th minute); T Mukambi; P Ndoro.