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Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
Chicken Inn ……………………(1) 1
Chiredzi FC …………………………0CHICKEN INN scrapped past a battling Chiredzi FC to collect maximum points in an indifferent Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
A Thomas Chimenya header in the 44th minute was enough to hand the Gamecocks three points in a drab game that saw the two sides up their game in the second half.
The first half was a dreary affair with the standard of football very poor but the second half saw the two sides improving their game with both teams coming out eager to find the goals.
Chicken Inn created several clear chances at goal in the first half with Ismael Lawe’s overhead kick inside the box going over the crossbar in the 11th minute when he received the ball off a Canaan Nkomo header. The 20th minute saw John Bernard passing the ball to Chimenya who was on the left flank but he side-netted the ball.
Thabani Goredema nearly opened the score sheet, in the 37th minute, with a shot from outside the box but he was denied by Stephen Chimusoro in goals for Chiredzi. A minute later at the opposite end, David Temwanjira unleashed a shot on the edge of the box from the right flank but his shot went wide.
Clemence Matawu’s run on the right flank saw him outpace Chiredzi players a minute before the break and he made a square pass that found Chimenya unmarked in the box who obligingly slotted the ball in.
Chimenya could have made it two-up in the 62nd minute but he fluffed the opportunity after Nkomo crossed into the goal area from the left flank. Another chance beckoned for the striker following a cross from Bernard in the 80th minute but Chimenya’s header just went over the bar missing the target by a few centimetres.
Although Chiredzi upped their game in the second half, they found it difficult to create clear cut chances upfront.
Chicken Inn coach, Joey Antipas was happy with the result although admitting his side did not put up a good show. He was also impressed with some of the players he gave starting places such as Devine Lunga and Chimenya after missing the services of six regular players.
“We, however, lacked urgency and the players played at a slow tempo but the three points were good for us,” said Antipas.
Chiredzi coach, Moses “Bambo” Chunga blamed the loss on squabbles in his camp which saw him resign and rescind the resignation at the beginning of last week. He threatened to fire the executive saying either him or the executive would go.
“We cannot continue the way we are because we have people who came on board and promised to assist the club but they are failing in their job and the squabbles are making it difficult for us to source sponsorship.
“While others talk of jet-leg, we had kombi-leg because of the cramped space in the kombi which affects blood circulation and it affected our players. There is also low morale within the camp but we hope to get things working soon,” he said.
In other PSL matches played yesterday, ZPC Kariba maintained their unbeaten run when they overcame Chapungu United 1-0 while FC Platinum played to a one all draw against Black Rhinos at Mandava Stadium.
Teams:
Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, M Jackson, D Lunga, J Bernard, L Mhlanga, B Juru, T Goredema, C Matawu (T Banda, 78thh), C Nkomo (G Majika, 74thh), T Chimenya (R Zhuwawo, 86thh), I Lawe
Chiredzi FC: S Chimusoro, T Mpungu, A Gwatidzo, D Bakali, G Kwaramba, L Manyande (W Kamudyariwa, 59thh), T Ndlovu, T Daphistara, M Gaki, K Matogo (M Chiwara, 60thh), D Temwanjira (B Pamhirwa, 78thh).
Online Reporter