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Chicken Inn …………………………………………………………. (1) 2
Chapungu …………………………………………………………………. 0
LOG leaders Chicken Inn maintained their good run in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League when they dispatched Chapungu at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
In a match in which both teams failed to create many goal scoring opportunities, the Gamecocks secured the three points through brilliantly executed, strikes in either half, from Michelle Katsvairo and former Highlanders player Bhekimpilo Ncube.
With the win, Chicken Inn moved to 37 points, two ahead of second placed Triangle who are on 35 points after they dispatched Tsholotsho FC 2-0 at White City Stadium.
It was Chapungu who showed attacking intent with Rodwell Mhlanga’s speculative shot going over the posts with four minutes of play.
Ncube had an opportunity to put Chicken Inn ahead in the 26th minute but his header inside the box went wide. The opening goal came for the Gamecocks 11 minutes prior to the break. Skipper Danny Phiri’s superbly taken free kick from outside the box was spilled by Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi and with his defence in sixes and sevens, Katsvairo hit the target.
Edmore Chirambadare, the league’s leading top scorer could have made it two goals for Chicken Inn three minutes before the break when he dribbled his way past the opposition defence but Mazingi was at his best to keep out the striker’s effort at goal.
A minute later, Phiri saw his attempt go wide after being set up by Guide Goddard inside the Chapungu box.
The second half, just like the first did not produce any fireworks without much hunger for goal by the two sides.
Chicken Inn doubled their advantage with an hour played with Chirambadare sending Ncube through on the left who responded with precision.
In one of the rare moments that Chapungu did trouble Elvis Chipezeze, seasoned striker Philip Marufu forced out a brilliant save off the Chicken Inn goalkeeper four minutes before the end of the encounter.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino felt that losing concentration proved to be the biggest undoing for his team.
“We lost to a better side, loss of concentration cost us a lot, we still have to improve and finish in a top eight position,’’ said Nyikadzino.
Chicken Inn mentor Joey Antipas believes they have to remain focused and not get carried away despite being on top of the log.
“We played a good solid game, never gave them any chance. The fact that we played without three of our key players shows that we have a strong squad, the guys we brought in performed admirably for us,’’ Antipas said.
Online Reporter