Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT is a dry spell that is beginning to taste bitter in the mouth for Chicken Inn fans.
At Luveve Stadium on Saturday, the Gamecocks once again failed to crow, stuttering to a goalless draw against a tactically disciplined Herentals side. For coach Joey Antipas, the frustration is beginning to boil over.
“We are struggling at the moment,” Antipas admitted, his tone one of grim realism. “In other games, we’ve created chances, but today we failed to do that. I feel the team lacks the desire to win. We need to work on that desire. Football is all about luck, but you have to work towards getting that luck. You need to work extra hard to get the desired results.”
After five rounds of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action, Chicken Inn’s season has barely lifted off. With four draws, one defeat, and a solitary goal to their name, the once-feared Bulawayo outfit now resembles a side desperately searching for identity and attacking intent.
Saturday’s affair mirrored that struggle — a cagey, sometimes sluggish contest where Chicken Inn’s occasional forays forward fizzled at the finish. Despite boasting an attacking trio of Brian Muza, George Majika, and Michael Charamba, the Gamecocks simply couldn’t find the sharp edge in the final third.
Charamba’s replacement in the 85th minute was telling of his muted afternoon, and neither Muza nor Tinashe Mushaireni — who made way at halftime — offered much bite.
Herentals, on the other hand, came into the tie with a clear game plan — and executed it with discipline. Their coach, Paul Benza, was understandably satisfied with the outcome.
“It’s not easy to play away from home and get a point,” he said. “Our game plan was to shut out their captain and left-back Xolani Ndlovu, who is very dangerous with his crosses, and we managed to handle him. We had to sit back a bit today, playing away from home.”
It wasn’t all backs-to-the-wall stuff for the Students either. Tinotenda Benza looked lively throughout and almost scored in the 68th minute with a stinging effort that forced Donovan Bernard into a sharp save. Mpumelelo Bhebhe had to scramble the rebound out for a corner, keeping Chicken Inn’s hopes of a first win intact.
Chicken Inn’s best chance came minutes later when Xolani Ndlovu’s curling free-kick was punched clear by Herentals shot-stopper Tinotendaishe Takarinda. The rebound led to a chaotic goalmouth scramble, with Ralph Kawondera clearing Muza’s goal-bound header off the line to preserve parity.
Antipas’ triple substitution — Brighton Makopa at the break, followed by Brendon Rendo and Edward Musena late on — failed to inject the much-needed spark. The tactical tweaks may have added fresh legs, but not fresh ideas.
With their next fixture a daunting away tie against giants Dynamos, the pressure on Chicken Inn is intensifying. For Herentals, meanwhile, a home clash against new boys MWOS offers a chance to build on this resolute performance.
As the sun set on Luveve, the mood among the Chicken Inn faithful was unmistakably flat. For a club with high aspirations, time may be running out to arrest this early-season malaise.
TEAMS
Chicken Inn: D. Bernard, A. Chinda, M. Bhebhe, J. Tulani, X. Ndlovu, D. Jaricha, I. Mabhunu, M. Charamba (Musena 85’), G. Majika, T. Mushaireni (Makopa 46’), B. Muza (Rendo 85’)
Herentals: T. Tinotendaishe, W. Chimbetu, T. Mupumha, L. Dreamer (Zhuwawu 69’), R. Kawondera, T. Benza, B. Majaririra, K. Sangare, T. Chisi, I. Benza, Z. Ruguchu
