adminChicken Inn ……………………………………………………. (3) 3
Buffaloes …………………………………………………………….. 0
CHICKEN Inn found their way back to winning ways when they dispatched visiting Buffaloes in an action packed but one-sided Castle Lager Premier Soccer League contest at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Goals from Clemence Matawu, Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Edmore Chirambadare saw the Gamecocks recover from the 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Hwange last Saturday to record a convincing victory.
The victory saw Chicken Inn extend their lead at the top of the log standings with 26 points.
Referee Mlindeli Ndebele however stole the show with two questionable decisions against the visitors. Firstly, he denied Buffaloes what looked like a clear penalty with 27 minutes played when Ben Nyahunzvi brought down Lloyd Katongomara inside the box after the latter had dribbled his way past Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze. Instead of sending off Nyahunzvi and pointing to the spot, Ndebele who was far from the action, only showed the defender a yellow while awarding the visitors a free kick outside the area.
However, Ndebele with the aid of second assistant Mncedisi Maphosa, were quick to point to the penalty spot when Chirambadare went down easily in the box five minutes before the end of the first half.
Away from the Ndebele controversy, Chicken Inn were by far the more superior side throughout the match.
Seasoned midfielder Matawu gave the Gamecocks the lead eight minutes into the encounter. Moments after seeing his header come off the post, Matawu drilled the ball into the nets from inside the box, a goal the Buffaloes goalkeeper Blessing Mwandimutsira could not do anything about because of the manner of the strike.
Buffaloes will feel aggrieved with Ndebele’s decision not to award them a penalty from the Nyahunzvi foul on Katongomara for a free kick outside the box. From the resultant free kick, Farai Banda saw his effort crash off the posts.
Chicken Inn had their second goal, eight minutes before the conclusion of the first stanza, Matawu this time around turning provider for Kutinyu to curl the ball into the nets.
Chirambadare finished off the visitors with his seventh goal of the season just before halftime, beating Mwandimutsira from the spot despite the goal minder diving the right way.
Teams
Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, M Jackson, C Matawu, D Lunga (Mbiriri 90 minutes) , D Phiri, M Katsvairo (Chimenya 83 minutes), P Bernard, E Chirambadare, T Kutinyu, B Nyahunzvi, G Majika (Nkomo 72 minutes)
Buffaloes: B Mwandimutsira, K Mwaramba, P Chandisaita, F Banda, K Mangondo, P Matizanadzo, T Jeffrey (Mushunje 55 minutes), L Katongomara, V Makaha (Juwakinyu 83 minutes), A Dzumbunu, J Muzokomba (Chawira 83 minutes).
Online Reporter