adminOscar Rusenga in CHIREDZI
Chiredzi ………………..(0) 0
Chicken Inn …………….(1) 1
A first-HALF goal from defender Lawrence Mhlanga was enough to earn visitors Chicken Inn maximum points in this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Chishamiso yesterday.
Lowveld-based referee Jimmy Makwanda was brave enough to handle the match that was physical with hard tackles across over the pitch.
Chiredzi had themselves to blame as they created a glut of meaningful chances in the first half but did not do justice to their dominance.
“We created lot of chances and that is a sign of a good team but the boys looked tired as we played two games in a space of three days. We had limited resources since we got a total of less than 20 players and some regular guys like David Sengu and Sam Msimbu are suspended.
“It’s difficult to rotate with our situation but we will keep on working hard and I am happy with the overall performance”, said Chiredzi coach Gishon Ntini.
Tawanda Muyendi, who was their hero last Sunday when he scored a brace in his debut match against Buffaloes in the Chibuku Super Cup at Sakubva, was given a free role and was impressive throughout the opening stanza.
Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze was the first to be called into action in the 18th minute when pulled out a good save after Ronald Maketo had beaten the wall from the free-kick.
Impressive Maketo was again involved two minutes later when he released a long pass to Temwanjira, who beat the offside trap and skied his effort over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat from less than 10 metres.
Clemence Matawu showed why he is regarded one of the best midfielders in the league as he was dictating pace and controlling the situation alongside Danny Phiri and Bhekimpilo Ncube.
Mhlanga scored with a close- range header in the 25th minute.
The goal came after Ncube won a corner and his initial shot was blocked by Muchineripi Muneri but with the Chiredzi defenders involved in a mix-up Mhlanga pounced to head home from close range.
Ntini made a tactical substitution bringing in Marlvin Gaki for Kudzai Nyamupfukudza but it did little as his side went to the half-time break trailing.
Ncube, Matawu and Mkhokeli Dube combined well as the second half resumed before the later missed a glorious chance be on the score sheet.
Ntini handed a Premiership debut to Tatenda Kanyemba who did well to win the free-kick that was Chiredzi’s last hope of getting a point in the 89th minute but Muyendi missed the target. Muyendi was, however, forgiven by the Chiredzi faithful as he was a stand-out player all round.
Chicken Inn gaffer Joey Antipas was a happy man.
“I am obviously happy with the result and I give credit to my guys who managed to handle the hot conditions that we are not used to. I also give credit to Chiredzi for quite a good fight”, said Antipas.
Meanwhile, relegation continued to stare in the face of Bantu Rovers after Osbourne Mukaradare’s hat-trick for Harare City sunk the hosts in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Hartsfield, Bulawayo, yesterday, writes Ngqabutho Moyo.
The defeat left Bantu still second from bottom with just 16 points, seven behind 14th placed Black Rhinos.
Rovers will have to up their game or resign themselves to the fate of Division One football and learn that buying a franchise when one is not ready could be disastrous.
Mukuradare’s goals ensured Harare City continued with their revival under Masimba Dinyero as they coasted to their fourth consecutive victory.
Harare City were the first to open the score sheet with a 14th minute goal from Mukuradare from a perfectly placed free-kick a few metres from the box beating Rovers goalkeeper Takunda Mutanga.
The second half was marked by a 46th minute substitution of the hosts’ young Lucky Ndlela for Dalubuhle Moraka in a bid to add more punch which proved fruitless as the recently acquired striker failed to find the back of the net.
Mukuradare added two more goals to his name, one in the 50th minute and the third winning effort on 79 minutes when he dribbled past Bantu’s Teenage Hadebe and beat Bantu’s second choice goalkeeper Nkosilathi Mlalazi.
Mlalazi came in the 61st minute after the first choice goalkeeper Mutanga was injured following a collision with Mukuradare.
Mukuradare turned villain when he sent for an early shower following a second bookable offence in the 89th minute for time wasting.
It was then that Bantu scored their second goal through Tafadzwa Kutinyu in the 91st minute but it was not enough to get them a much needed share of the spoils.
Online Reporter