adminMunyaradzi Musiiwa in Gweru
Chapungu …………………………………………… (1) 2
Chicken Inn ……………………………………….. (1) 1
GOOD times are beckoning for Chapungu after a bad start of their campaign when they beat defending champions Chicken Inn 2-1 in an exciting Premier Soccer League encounter at Ascot stadium yesterday.
The Gamecocks came into yesterday’s match buoyed by their win over log leaders Highlanders but were halted by a determined Chapungu who have now gone five games unbeaten.
An own goal from Thabani Goredema and a strike from Allen Tavarwisa were enough to give coach John Nyikadzino a huge sigh of relief as he was beginning to feel the pressure having gone for a number of games without winning at home since the win over Hwange in the early stages of the season.
The hosts took an early lead in the 6th minute when Thabani Goredema beat his own keeper in an attempt to clear a cross from lively winger Xolani Ncube.
Ncube who is enjoying his game glided past a number of Chicken Inn defenders before releasing a low cross that Goredema turned past his own goalkeeper.
Moments later Blessed Mbavarira brought Elvis Chipezeze into the game with a stinging free kick which the goalkeeper pushed out for a corner.
The visitors equalised six minutes later with Obadiah Tarumbwa finishing off a nice move from the back which involved Darryl Nyandoro.
Chapungu coach made some changes into the second half bringing in Rodwell Mhlanga for William Ngonya in the 46th minute and Tafadzwa Mombeshora in the 55th minute.
The veteran Mombeshora who was celebrating his 35th birthday put up a memorable show tilting the match in the hosts favour when breaking Chicken Inn raids.
It was not long after his introduction that Chapungu restored the lead with Allen Tavarwisa scoring a beautiful goal after being squared inside the box by Mhlanga.
However Chicken Inn went down fighting as they dominated play for the greater part of the second half but fluffed a lot of chances. In another match, Ngezi Platinum beat ZPC Kabriba 1-0 at Baobab stadium.
Online Reporter