Online Reporter
Onward Gangata at Ascot Stadium
TelOne 0-2 Chicken Inn
CHICKEN Inn tightened the screws on TelOne coach Herbert Maruwa with a clinical 2-0 win at Ascot Stadium in Gweru, their second straight victory and a result that exposed the hosts’ growing fragility at home.
Goals in either half from David Ngnwo Hapko and Genius Hute told the story, ruthless finishing from a side learning to take its chances, and familiar wastefulness from one still searching for answers.
For TelOne, it is becoming a pattern they cannot shake.
They started brightly and should have led early. Nqobizitha Masuku rose highest to meet a corner on 19 minutes, his header crashing against the upright with the goalkeeper beaten.
Moments later, Panashe Mtasa tested Taimon Mvula with a fierce strike from range, forcing a sharp save as the visitors struggled to settle.
But where TelOne hesitated, Chicken Inn were decisive.
Against the run of play, the Gamecocks struck with their first real chance. A delivery from the left caused confusion in the box and Hapko reacted quickest, stabbing home from close range to silence the home crowd.
It was a sucker punch TelOne never truly recovered from.
Chicken Inn returned after the break with greater control, slowing the tempo and drawing the sting from TelOne’s attacks. The hosts pushed forward in numbers but lacked the cutting edge when it mattered.
Tonderayi Ndiraya’s side, meanwhile, looked comfortable managing the game, relying on experience and discipline to keep the Wifi Boys at bay.
They sealed it with nine minutes left.
George Majika delivered from the right and Hute timed his run perfectly, finishing calmly to put the result beyond doubt.
For Chicken Inn coach Ndiraya, it was a step in the right direction.
“It’s a huge achievement for the team, it is something we spoke about before the match, that we wanted to get the second win on the trot,” he said.
“It is the consistency that you want after winning the second now we are targeting the third, possibly fourth, I’m really happy for the boys.”
For Maruwa, the questions are piling up.
“Now we need to work together as a family, it is not about the coach only, everyone involved at TelOne must come together.
“It is not on, we cannot lose four matches on the trot and get results in three successive away games, something must be done,” he pleaded.
TEAMS
TelOne: Takudzwa Chikosi, Prince Milanzi (Marvelous Chigumira 46th min), Allan Chapinduka, Zibusizo Ruguchu, Chelsea Nyakope, Nqobizitha Masuku, Innocent Muchaneka, Panashe Mtasa (Farai Matatu 59th min), Donald Teguru (Leeroy Murape 46th min), Jerry Chipangura, Tawanda Macheke (Nqosiyabo Masilela 68th min).
Chicken Inn: Taimon Mvula, Lincoln Mangayira (Trevor Toronga 90+), Tyrese Waungua, Itai Mabhinu, Brendon Rendo, Sefu Louisom, Temptation Chiwunga, Innocent Masiwa (Marvelous Faranando 70th min), David Ngnwo Hapko, Genius Hute (Brighton Makopa 90+), Binwell Katinji (George Majika 55th min).
