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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
CHICKEN INN FC displayed their Premiership title credentials with another win on the road although coach Joey Antipas is desperate to discard the championship favourites tag.
The Gamecocks have been in dazzling form this season, amassing 29 points from 13 outings, six points clear of second placed Triangle United.
Last Saturday, the Bulawayo side sent a bold statement to their championship rivals, coming from a goal down to beat Chapungu 1-2 at Ascot Stadium in Gweru.
The country’s leading top goals scorer Edmore Chirambare cancelled Allan Tavarwisa’s first half strike to level the scores before Danny “Deco” Phiri grabbed a late winner to ensure Chicken Inn return to Bulawayo with maximum points.
Chicken Inn have collected 10 points out of a possible 12 from the league table’s top five.
They beat defending champions Dynamos 3-0, How Mine 1-0 and Chapungu. They collected a point against Triangle United at Luveve Stadium.
Their other victories were against Buffaloes, Highlanders, FC Platinum, Whawha, Tsholotsho and Flame Lily.
The Gamecocks have only suffered two away defeats to Harare City and Hwange.
They now have two matches against Dongo Sawmill and Caps United before reaching the halfway mark of the Premiership.
“We can’t be talking about the championship now because it’s only 13 games into the season and there are lots of games left. What’s important is for us to take each game as it comes. The guys just have to continue enjoying their football and express themselves fully. Maybe after Week 25 we can start talking about who will win the title,” said Antipas.
The Gamecocks gaffer won the championship with the now defunct Motor Action in 2010 and looks to be on course to land another title.
Antipas credits hard work and continuity as key elements to his team’s fine run.
“The ability to maintain the same squad has helped us a lot because the guys understand one another very well. We made a few additions bringing in Chirambadare, Raphael Kutinyu and Mitchelle Katsvairo. These boys have injected another dimension in terms of our attack, otherwise everyone has been working hard,” Antipas said.
While Chicken Inn revels, city neighbours How Mine and Highlanders, who played to a 1-1 draw, are hoping for better fortunes in the second half of the season.
With a bit of luck and precision in front of goal, How Mine could have clobbered Bosso on Sunday but their strikers Kuda Musharu, Limited Chikafa, Benjamin Marere and Godfrey Nguwodzawo took turns to miss glorious scoring opportunities.
Timothy January gave How Mine the lead in the 11th minute and just when it looked as if the gold miners would run riot, Highlanders’ goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda proved to be the difference.
Sibanda made a number of top-drawer saves to keep Bosso in the game.
In-form Bosso striker Knox Mutizwa equalised from the penalty spot after referee Arnold Ncube awarded Highlanders a soft penalty.
It was a harsh penalty considering that it was Highlanders’ striker Thomas Chideu who appeared to foul How Mine’s Nelson Tachi.
That controversial call saved Bosso.
Highlanders coach, Bongani Mafu, was happy with the point saying there were lots of positives from his charges.
However, the under fire Bosso coach was worried about his players’ failure to track back whenever they lost possession.
He clearly missed centre back Honest Moyo due to bereavement in his family, as national team defender Teenage Hadebe looked jittery with Musharu, Marere and Chikafa taking turns to dribble past the youngster.
At the Colliery Stadium, Hwange salvaged a point after being held 1-1 by FC Platinum.
The coalminers are a precarious 12th on the log.
Online Reporter