Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira at Luveve Stadium
Chicken Inn 1-1 Byo Chiefs
CHICKEN INN FC were caught napping and they might live to regret yesterday’s flop when the season ends.
Chicken Inn had the game in their hands for the greater part of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League duel at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
That was until the dying stages of the game when they lost their hold and ended up sharing the spoils. Billy Veremu headed home from close range with two minutes left to cancel the Gamecocks’ goal which had come through Xolani Ndlovu in the 15th minute of the game. It was a clear lapse in concentration.
Chicken Inn coach Prince Matore would have hoped his charges had found a winning formula following their impressive 2-0 victory over Highlanders last week but that was not to be. The dejection from the Chicken Inn players was there for all to see after the final whistle as they all had their heads down.
At the beginning of the season, Chicken Inn made it clear they had their eyes on the league title. However, their performances have been inconsistent. Victory would have seen them go within four points of log leaders Ngezi Platinum but that was not the case. However, a draw was perhaps a fair result as Chicken Inn was never in control of the second stanza. “This can happen in a derby. We had a lapse in concentration at the end of the game and we got punished. We did well in some areas but we were not perfect in some. In the end, it was a good game between the two sides that really know each other. We have always said we want to collect three points at home but it wasn’t the case. We now have to focus on the next game,” said Matore.
Asked on the last-minute goal, Bulawayo Chiefs coach Johanisi Nhumwa said: “That is football. We started on a low note. It took us long to get into the game but that is football. We managed to reduce their flow of play in midfield in the second half and we were back in it. The substitutes also made a difference as they brought in a new dimension to our game.”
In the second half, Amakhosi Amahle came back a better side but still could not maximise on their chances. They managed to get two corner kicks in the first few minutes of the second half but couldn’t find the back of the net.
One of their golden chances came from their captain, Malvin Mkolo who tried an overhead kick but couldn’t connect well, sending his effort over the bar. Chiefs, however, did not give up on their quest for an equaliser and their substitution proved the masterstroke as Verumu, who replaced Ayanda Ncube in the 62nd minute found the Gamecocks’ defenders napping in the box and head home from close range. It was a deserved goal for Chiefs who were knocking on the door throughout the second half. Amakhosi Amahle managed to hold on for the remaining minutes to collect the point while Chicken Inn felt they dropped two with the draw.
Teams
Chicken Inn: D Bernard (gk), M Hwata, M Charamba, M Bhebhe, R Hachiro, N Ketala, G Mutungamiri (T Kutinyu, 75 mins), L Lunga, S Mhlanga (D Jaricha, 75 mins), X Ndlovu, O Malajila (B Muza, 67 mins)
Bulawayo Chiefs: K Dube (gk), K Sibanda, N Gama (N Ncub, 75 mins), M Msebe, A Ncube (B Veremu, 62 mins), M Mkolo, D Phiri, M Gasela, F Moyo, M Hativagoni, F Matare (D Dlodlo, 62 mins). – @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter