adminNgqwele Dube and Mthokozisi Dube
Sports Correspondents
Chicken Inn ………………………………………………….. 0
Chapungu……………………………………………………… 0
Bulawayo City………………………………………………… 0
Hwange FC……………………………………………………. 0
CHAPUNGU FC coach John Nyikadzino was delighted with returning to Gweru with a point in the bag saying snatching four points from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League defending champions Chicken Inn this season was a good feat. Chicken Inn had to settle for a goalless draw at Luveve yesterday despite dominating possession for the better part of the game.
The home side coach, Rahman Gumbo rued a reversed goal decision in the 17th minute that saw referee Arnold Ncube signaling for a goal before changing his mind after consulting assistant, Nqobile Dlamini and fourth official Hardley Ndazi.
Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi had the ball firmly in his hands from a cross but as he went down it seemingly bounced off George Majika and went in resulting in Ncube signaling for goal but after consultations Ncube called for an infringement.
“From where I was, it looked like a genuine goal and I think the referee was wrongly influenced by the fourth official as he had already signalled that it’s a goal and this affected our game. It is unfortunate we created a lot of chances but failed to convert them,” said Gumbo.
Nyikadzino was ecstatic with the result saying getting a point away from home was good.
Chapungu won the reverse fixture 2-1.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo City and Hwange played to a nil all stalemate in a dull match played at Barbourfields Stadium. City went into the match a wounded side following the suspension of their gaffer Philani Ncube and his trusted lieutenant Farai Mujokoro over match fixing allegations.
The first half was indeed a dull encounter with no goal mouth action to talk about save for a Welcome Ndiweni miss in the 23rd minute. Ndiweni failed to connect a Morris Kadzola cross after Chipangano goalkeeper Future Sibanda failed to deal with a cross.
Amakhosi had an upper hand in the second half but their blunt strike force was to blame for failing to bury the visitors.
Emmanuel Mandiranga could have thrust Amakhosi into the lead in the 35th minute after beating Hwange defender David Boriwondo and unleashing a volley which, however, missed the upright by a few inches.
Chipangano had their steely defender Gerald Ndlovu and the experienced Obert Moyo to thank for containing the troublesome Mandiranga who was deployed as a solo gunman during the first half.
City came a determined side in the second half with some perfect build ups from the back which, however, found no takers upfront.
City stand-in coach Try Ncube made a double substitution in the 57th minute ejecting Ndiweni for veteran striker Mkhokheli Dube and Felix Kusvatuka for Sipho Ndlovu.
The substitutions brought urgency into the City game but poor finishing did not help matters.
Hwange who relied on counter attacks for the better part of the game could have opened the score sheet in the 75th minute through Gift Mbweti but Zibusiso Sibanda was equal to the task in providing Ndodana Sibanda in goals for City with enough cover .
Mandiranga who continued to torment the Hwange defence set up Trevor Ndlovu in the 76 the minute with but with a yawning goal the striker skied his effort.
Bulawayo City were denied what seemed to be a clear penalty in the 86th minute after Munorei Wilfred handled inside the box in an attempt to clear the ball but were a victim of referee Makonese Masakadza who waved play on.
City stand-in coach Ncube commended his boys for an excellent display.
“It was a good performance the boys played well. We, however, need to work on our finishing but we are satisfied with the point gained,” said Ncube.
His opposite number Mebelo Njekwa said it was two points donated.
“We consider it two points lost considering they came and beat us in our own backyard,” said Njekwa.
Bongani Ndlovu