Chronicle EditorFungai Muderere in Rusape
Black Rhinos ………………. (1) 2
Chicken Inn ………………. (0) 1
RUSAPE’S Vengere Stadium once again proved to be a difficult hunting ground for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship contenders Chicken Inn when they fell at the hands of army side Black Rhinos yesterday.
The Gamecocks, who were coming from two consecutive wins against Harare City, went to the same venue after they fell 1-0 at the hands of army side Cranborne Bullets. Dominant Black Rhinos found their opener in the 33rd minute courtesy of a well taken Eli Ilunga penalty who sent a diving Donovan Bernard the wrong way.
The hosts were awarded the spot kick after Gamecocks’ centre back Vincent Moyo went for a high ball with an open foot challenging in-form Brighton Christopher inside the 18 yard box.
The ball took an awkward bounce compelling Moyo to raise his foot with Christopher ambushing for a pounce.
Chauya Chipembere got their second goal in the 53rd minute courtesy of a Moses Jackson own goal.
In a desperate effort to clear a Christopher hard and low cross from the left, Jackson, a veteran of many battles, wrongly directed his effort to his goal to make it count for Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa mentored army side.
With the hosts still dominating play, individual brilliance that was produced by Gamecocks vice-captain Passmore Bernard saw the 2015 league champions reduce their arrears. Roving Bernard had subtracted a sea of his markers on the right flank, with teammates calling for a cross, from inside the box, the seasoned player, unleashed a stinger that beat Black Rhinos goalkeeper Stanley Chakwana all systems out.
With the season heading to home stretch, Antipas conceded that it was now going to be difficult for them to have a shout on the destiny of the country’s coveted football title and also cried foul on the state of Vengere Stadium to host the country’s elite football matches.
“It’s congratulations to Black Rhinos, the loss is going to be detrimental to us. However, truth has to be said this kind of a pitch is not good. It’s hard and bumpy. I admit it’s our standards in the country we couldn’t play our normal passing game. It was difficult for us, the ball continuously took some awkward bounces hence the two goals we conceded. It’s not all about trying to seek excuses but this is not an ideal pitch for PSL games,” said a dejected Antipas whose charges remained glued on 45 points.
Mutizwa, who was in his fourth game in charge, said: “I’m happy that the players are responding so well to my philosophy. We have posted three wins and one draw which is so pleasing and encouraging. It’s always good to beat a club like Chicken Inn, they are one of the best clubs in the country. We knew their strengths hence the adjustments we made during the match when we introduced three players at one go.” –@FungaiMuderere
Online Reporter