admin
Ricky Zililo, recently in Pretoria, South Africa
CHICKEN Inn players believe they are ready to defend their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title after being knocked out of the Caf Champions League by South African Premiership runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. The South Africans overturned a 0-1 first leg deficit to beat Chicken Inn 0-2 at Pretoria’s Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.
Wayne Arendse put Sundowns ahead in the 34th minute, ghosting from the blind side to powerfully head in a Keegan Dolly free-kick past goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
It was, however, Sundowns’ second goal from an injury time penalty that broke the Gamecocks’ hearts. Slight contact in the box on Zimbabwean international Khama Billiat by Chicken Inn right-back Passmore Bernard won Sundowns a penalty, which was converted by substitute Katlego Mashego.
When Madagascar referee Andofetra Avombitara blew his final whistle, Chicken Inn players charged at him, a move captain Danny Phiri attributed to frustration.
“That was definitely not a penalty and it’s frustrating to work hard and just lose like that. I felt the pain just like my teammates because that was a fairly balanced game, which we could’ve stolen a victory, but the referee had the final say,” said Phiri.
The defensive midfielder said their focus was now on defending the league championship.
“We can’t cry forever. This was a good experience for us and what we need to do is regroup and focus on defending the league. With the way the boys played, it was encouraging because they played their hearts out, deserve recognition and what’s left is for us to work hard as we go for the league title,” Phiri said.
His sentiments were shared by roving midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu, who probably deserved the man-of-the-match accolade for his exploits.
Kutinyu complemented Phiri when defending and was effective whenever they were in possession. He was involved in almost all Chicken Inn’s moves, controlling the midfield for the better part of the second half when the Gamecocks forced Sundowns on the back foot.
“We played well, but it wasn’t our day. You know in football sometimes you need luck to win, unfortunately it eluded us. This result is now history but we can still plan for the future by continuing to work as a team, show that unity of purpose as we did against Sundowns, so that we defend our title,” Kutinyu said.
Besides Kutinyu and Phiri, other Chicken Inn players, who had a good outing were goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, central defender Lawrence Mhlanga, winger Edmore Chirambadare and striker Mitchelle Katsvairo.
Online Reporter