Chapungu in sensational comeback

Munyaradzi Musiiwa in GWERU
Chapungu ……………………(0) 3
Chicken Inn…………………..(1) 1CHAPUNGU turned on the power in the second half to beat Chicken Inn in a Castle Lager Premiership tie on a windy afternoon at Ascot yesterday.

The visitors dominated the first half and took the lead before the hosts came back to score three times in the second half.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Bhekhithemba Ncube unleashed a thunderbolt which was spilled by Chapungu goalkeeper Alexander Useni and the rebound fell into the path of an alert Ishmael Lawe, who tapped the ball into the right bottom corner. However, the tables turned after the break and equalised in the 70th minute when Maxwell Mavuto fired home from outside the box. The hosts were then awarded a controversial penalty five minutes later when Gift Phiri went down under the challenge of Chicken Inn centre-back Passmore Bernard at the edge of the box.

There was pandemonium on the pitch as the Chicken Inn players questioned referee Munyaradzi Majoni’s decision.

Charles Murisa converted the penalty. Bernard then beat his own ’keeper while trying to intercept a cross from Philip Marufu.

“We changed the game plan in the second half and we managed to get goals. The victory was very crucial to us,” said Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino.

“We have managed to keep a clean record at home but we also need to start collecting maximum points away from home.”

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas said the decision to give the hosts a penalty was the turning point of this game.

“That penalty changed the complexion of the game. It was doggy and it changed everything. We also played under unfavourable conditions. It’s unfortunate that we lost this match,” said Antipas.

Teams

Chapungu: A. Useni, W. Ngonya, L. Kimu, C. Kwaramba, B. Zabula, N. Murisa, G. Phiri, C. Murisa (F Manase 80th min), M. Mavuto, V. Bangira (C Maheya 80th min), B. Mugoni (P Marufu 55th min)

Chicken Inn: E. Chipezeze, M. Jackson, B. Mbiriri, J. Bernard, L. Mhlanga, B. Juru, D. Phiri, C. Matawu (M Dube 83rd min), B. Ncube, T. Goredema (T Banda 83rd min), I. Lawe