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Dumisani Nsingo Sports Reporter
Chicken Inn ………… 0
Caps United ………… 0
LOG leaders Chicken Inn failed to stretch their lead at the summit of the log after being held to stalemate by a resolute Caps United in a Premiership match played at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday. The Gamecocks dominated almost the entire match, creating most of the chances but could not breach the Makepekepe’s rear guard, and a jittery Criss Mverechena in goals for the visitors could not help the home sides’ cause.
Mverechena was on numerous occasions guilty of failing to cleanly collect goal bound efforts and crosses from the opposition.
As largely expected, Chicken Inn started the match on the offensive as they sought an early goal in their bid to avenge their controversial loss in the reverse fixture last weekend.
Defender Moses Jackson who had overlapped from the right brought in a rather harmless cross but much to the surprise of everyone, an airborne Mverechena let the ball slip through his hands to an unmarked Bhekimpilo “Baka” Ncube whose timid header was cleared off the line, three minutes into the game.
Barely a minute later, the evergreen Clemence Matawu exchange passes with the workaholic Tafadzwa Kutinyu in the visitors’ half to set up Toto Banda on the right but his inch perfect cross had no takers.
The exciting Kutinyu almost scored against the run of play in the 9th minute after his scorcher from outside the box from an Ncube pass sailed over the bar. The Young Warriors was found wanting again in the 19th minute blazing his effort over after being set up by Matawu.
Caps United never really threatened the Gamecock’s goal area as their sole striker Leonard Tsipa hardly got clean passes and on the few occasion he was in position he was easily dealt with by the defence line led by Guide Goddard, Lawrence Mhlanga and Jackson.
The home team’s midfield of Matawu, Kutinyu and Ncube had the better of the struggling Joel Ngodzo, George Nyirenda and Hardlife Zvirekwi.
In the 38th minute Banda nearly punished the Caps United defenders who had problems clearing their lines when his poked effort following a goal mouth melee was cleared from the line by defender, Valentine Musarurwa.
In the second half both teams made what might be deemed as tactful substitutions with Caps bring in the less effective Ngodzo for Phineas Bamusi while the Gamecocks brought out Toto Banda for the country’s current top marksman, Edmore Chirambadare.
However, just like in the first half the home team was on the offensive with Matawu’s mesmerising runs causing headaches for the visitors’ defence. Mverechena was called to punch a pile drive from the Matawu into play in the 62th minute and from the resulted rebound Ncube’s header under challenge ricocheted over the bar.
In a bid to add more fire power upfront Caps United pulled out speed merchant Takudzwa Muhori in the 67th minute for last week’s two goal hero Leonard Fiyado.
In the 72th minute a flicked header by Ncube from a long throw in from Jackson was headed over the bar by Chirambadare and in the 79th minute Kutinyu’s timid shot inside the 18 yard was easily collected by Mverechena and Chirambadare needlessly kicked the goalkeeper in anticipation of a spill and got an unnecessary yellow card in the process.
In the 89th minute the lanky Kutinyu spotted Matawu on the run on the right side and the diminutive midfield genius made an inch perfect cross but Warriors defensive midfielder Danny Phiri failed to utilise the chance.
After the match Caps United coach, Mark Mathe conceded that his side played second fiddle to a better side but was happy to collect a point away from home.
The Gamecocks mentor Joey Antipas applauded his opposition’s defensive prowess but blamed his charges for lack of urgency.
Online Reporter