Chicken Inn crash out

Langton Nyakwenda
Chicken Inn … (0) 1
Chapungu … (1) 1
(Chapungu won 5-3 after penalty shootout)
PREMIERSHIP log leaders Chicken Inn crashed out of the Chibuku Super Cup at the hands of a battling Chapungu in a tepid encounter played in front of a virtually empty National Sports Stadium yesterday. The match had to go to the lottery as both sides could not be separated after 90 minutes of play and Chapungu’s Blessed Mbavarira blasted home the winning penalty to book his side a semi-final berth.

The airmen took the first penalty and former Monomotapa player Hillary Mugoniwa beat an experienced Pride “Cool Cat’’ Zendera who was chosen ahead of regular goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.

Chapungu goalie Roy Mazingi saved George Majika’s effort and when Patrick Khumbula scored for Chapungu the pressure was on for the Gamecocks.
Centre back Guide Goddard converted for the league leaders but substitute Abton Chekai scored his to leave the score at 3-1.

Veteran fullback Passmore Bernard kept Chicken Inn in the game with a smart kick before speedy winger Gift Phiri made it 4-2 for Chapungu.
The Premiership’s top goal scorer Edmore Chirambadare needed a retake to keep his side in with a chance but that was not enough as Mbavariva stepped up and sealed the deal for the airmen.

Chapungu were the first to score in regulation time when the club’s leading scorer Tinei Chitora tapped in a long cross from the right by Charles Mativenga after only 10 minutes of play.

Chicken Inn’s super substitute Ishmael Lawe then equalised in the 74th minute, just four minutes after he came on for Thabani Goredema.
The Gamecocks gaffer Joey Antipas blamed his team’s defeat on fatigue, the same excuse given by his opposite number John Nyikadzino in his analysis of Chapungu’s lackluster second half.

“The boys were fatigued, their body language showed it. We played in the midweek in Triangle, travelled back to Bulawayo before making another long trip here,’’ said Antipas.
“We will now shift our focus to the league but we will have to take each game as it comes,” said Antipas.
An elated Nyikadzino revealed his boys wanted it more than their opponents.

“I am happy for the boys, they soldiered on especially in the second half when Chicken Inn threw everything at us. You could also tell the boys were tired, we have played three games in a week now, imagine,” said Nyikadzino.