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Mehluli Sibanda
Chicken Inn …………………………… (1) 2
ZPC Kariba ……………………………. (0) 1
LOG leaders Chicken Inn played probably one of their worst matches this season but still managed to collect maximum points with a win over 10-men ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at Luveve Stadium yesterday. Goals in both sides by Edmore Chirambadare and Guide Goddard saw Chicken Inn move to 46 points, five more than FC Platinum who moved to second spot with 41 after their 3-1 triumph over Dynamos with the Glamour Boys sliding down to third place. Leonard Fiyado scored for ZPC Kariba who finished the match with 10 players after Dexter Phiri was sent off by referee Mlindeli Ndebele for a second bookable offence.
It was Chirambadare’s ninth goal of the season, his first since he last scored on 6 June in the 2-1 victory over Chapungu in Gweru. The left footed former Tsholotsho striker is now a goal behind the leading marksman Knox Mutizwa of Highlanders who has struck 10 times.
The match was a dull affair in the first half without much goal scoring opportunities being created by any of the two teams.
It was Chicken Inn who had the first shot at goal with 23 minutes played, Chirambadare forcing out a superb save off Tendai Hove in goals for the visitors, the keeper pushing the ball out for a corner.
Limited Chikafa had a great opportunity to put ZPC Kariba ahead when sent through in the 31st minute, with Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze to beat, the veteran forward blasted his effort wide.
Bhekimpilo Ncube had a chance to open the scoring for the Gamecocks 10 minutes before the end of the first half his left footer going wide of goal. Clemence Matawu also came close for the home side, his header smothered by Hove a minute later.
The goal came for Chicken Inn two minutes to the conclusion of the first half, Chirambadare finding the target with a header from a free kick taken outside the box by Passmore Bernard.
Chikafa, responsible for missing many chances pushed the ball too far off his feet on the stroke of halftime which allowed Chipezeze to come to Chicken Inn’s rescue.
On the other end, Michelle Katsvairo wasted a glorious opportunity to double the advantage for the Gamecocks when he controlled a pass inside the box only for his snap shot to go over.
Whatever former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa told his ZPC Kariba players during the halftime break worked wonders because they came back a completely invigorated side.
It took no time for them to find the equaliser, Fiyado with a glorious strike three minutes into the second half after taking full advantage of sloppy defending from Goddard and Moses Jackson.
ZPC nearly took the lead in the 57th minute, Chikafa fending off the challenge of Jackson and with Chipezeze to beat, he once again guided his effort wide.
Chicken Inn could have had their second goal in the 64th minute, Chirambadare’s attempt cleared off the line by Dennis Dauda with Hove off his goal.
Protasho Kabwe squandered an opportunity for ZPC Kariba in the 75th minute when he blasted his goal attempt over the bar.
Just as ZPC Kariba were looking likely to score their second goal, they were reduced to 10 men on the park, Phiri shown a red card in the 77th minute for a foul on Bernard having been shown a yellow card for bringing down the same player in 20th minute.
Goddard made up for his defensive blunder when he thumped the ball into the nets 11 minutes before the end of the match from a corner kick taken by substitute George Majika.
Chidzambwa attributed his side’s loss to the two set pieces they gave away which resulted in the goals and bad officiating by Ndebele.
“We could have avoided the two goals by not giving away the two set pieces which resulted in goals.
“I don’t want to talk about the refereeing but it was pathetic, in this country when you talk about referees you get banned but the officiating is killing the game,’’ said Chidzambwa.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas conceded that they were not at their best but was happy to take the three points.
The Gamecocks had to do without suspended skipper Danny Phiri as well as Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Lawrence Mhlanga who are away with the Young Warriors at the Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.
Teams
Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, B Mbiriri, G Goddard, P Bernard, B Ncube (Majika 40 mins), C Matawu, M Jackson, T Goredema, B Juru, M Katsvairo(Lawe 90+2 minutes) , Chirambadare.
ZPC Kariba: T Hove, S Sheshe, D Dauda, T Munyanduri, S Appiah, T Magorimbo (Nyamandwe 84 mins), P Tafirenyika( Manuvire 73 mins), P Kabwe, L Chikafa, L Fiyado( Rantokoane 80 mins).
Online Reporter