Chicken Inn drop to 10th after fifth draw

Chicken Inn 0-0 Caps United

CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League pacesetters Caps United maintained their top spot despite dropping two points while Chicken Inn slipped a place down the ladder to position 10 after they drew in an entertaining encounter at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

Chicken Inn have drawn five of their six matches so far this season, four of them being goalless stalemates, with their only win coming against Simba Bhora who they defeated 1-0 at Luveve Stadium on March 25.

The two sides, who are part of the four teams that are yet to lose a game this season played an entertaining match, creating opportunities that they failed to convert.

Second placed Highlanders who had their technical team members watching the Gamecocks and Makepekepe clash at Barbourfields Stadium, as well as fourth on the table Ngezi Platinum Stars are the other sides yet to feel the bitter taste of defeat so far this season.

Yesterday’s draw at Barbourfields Stadium, which left Chicken Inn gaffer Prince Matore puzzled assistant referee Phikisani Ndlovu ruled a Michael Charamba attempt offside when the Gamecocks’ attacker appeared to have been onside, saw Caps United’s points tally move to 12 with the home side on eight after six games.

Both sides started the match at a pulsating pace, going pound for pound.
It was Chicken Inn who had the first attempt at goal coming in the seventh minute when Charamba turned his marker on the right edge of the box before his left foot shot hit the upright with Caps United goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga cleanly beaten.

Just after the quarter-hour mark, Caps United right back Godknows Murwira overlapped to send in a delightful cross that veteran Rodwell Chinyengetere failed to direct on target.

In the 20th minute, it was Chicken Inn’s George Majika’s turn to fluff a perfect delivery as he headed off-target a Charamba delivery.

Sensing danger from Chicken Inn, Caps United’s coach Lloyd Chitembwe pulled out left back Lincoln Mangaira for Josiah Daka to close in the avenue that Chicken Inn had opened on their right side in the 27th minute.

Nine minutes later, Chicken Inn’s goalkeeper Donovan Bernard almost gifted Caps United a goal after his pass intended for central defender Dominic Jaricha was intercepted by striker William Manondo, but the 2021/22 Golden Boot winner failed to punish the home side.

Scoring chances fell for both sides, with Murwira twice forcing Bernard to punch the ball for safety from well-hit strikes.

Just like in the first half, neither side managed to breach the backline.
Chitembwe conceded that his charges were not at their usual best.

Teams
Chicken Inn: Donovan Bernard, Arthur Chinda, Xolani Ndlovu, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Dominic Jaricha, Clive Dzingai, Shepherd Mhlanga, Michael Charamba, Malvin Hwata (Augusto 59 mins), George Majika (Mutungamiri 64 mins), Brian Muza
Caps United: Tonderai Mateyaunga, Godknows Murwira, Lincoln Mangaira ( Daka 27 mins), Ben Musaka (Chapusha 64 mins), Kelvin Madzongwe, Devon Chafa, Blessing Sarupinda (Silla 74 mins), Rodwell Chinyengetere, Phenias Bamusi, Thulani Joseph, William Manondo.
— @ZililoR