Chapungu bring Chicken Inn back to earth

Simba Chiminya
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Chicken Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
CHAPUNGU brought the champions back to earth in a tightly contested Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Ascot yesterday. Chicken Inn came into the match on a high after a stunning 2-0 win over Highlanders in their last match but that bubble was shot down by the airmen. An own goal by Thabani Goredema and an Allan Tavarwisa stunner delivered victory for Chapungu.

The Gamecocks got their reply through veteran striker Obadiah Tarumbwa.

The match started on a high tempo and Chapungu deservedly took the lead in the sixth minute as a sustained period of pressure saw Goredema turning the ball into his own net.

Blessed Mbavarira nearly made it two moments later, from a free kick, but his effort was parried for a corner by Elvis Chipezeze.

Tarumbwa brought the champions back into the game in the 14th minute when he slotted past Roy Mazingi off a Darryl Nyandoro pass.

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino brought in Rodwell Mhlanga and Tafadzwa Mombeshora at the beginning of the second half and the changes swung the pendulum in the home team’s favour.

On the hour mark, Tavarwisa restored their lead with a rising shot from inside the box.

Nyikadzino welcomed his team’s third win in 13 matches.

“It’s a welcome relief after having gone for so long without collecting maximum points. I would like to thank the Airforce of Zimbabwe officials for having faith in me, this win was for them as well as the fans,” he said.

Chicken Inn mentor Rahman Gumbo refused to entertain the media and delegated the duties to his assistant Thulani Sibanda.

“We came into the game with the wrong mentality, the boys thought it would be an easy game,” said Sibanda.

Teams

Chapungu: R Mazingi, C Mativenga, H Mugoniwa, B Zabula, B Mbavarira, W Ngonya (R Mhlanga 46 mins), C Kwaramba, G Phiri, X Ncube, A Marime (T Mombeshora 55th minute), A Tavarwisa

Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, P Bernard, D Lunga, T Hadebe, T Goredema, C Semakweri (P Tafirenyika 77 mins), T Kutinyu, L Mhlanga, C Matawu, D Nyandoro (G Majika 59 mins), O Tarumbwa