Chronicle Editor
Tatenda Gambinga at Bata Stadium
TelOne 1-1 Chicken Inn
TELONE’s newly appointed coach, Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa and his charges managed to clinch a point against highly fancied Chicken lnn in a midweek match at Bata Stadium yesterday.
The WiFi boys had a stellar performance in the first half, scoring first through a Washington Navaya header after a fine cross delivered by Fredrick Muza on the 23rd minute.
lt did not take long for the Gamecocks to respond as they got the back of the net seven minutes later with Malvin Hwata tapping in to equalise. In the second-half, substitutions were made by both teams with Collins Chidomayi and Aubrey Nyandoro coming in for Blessing Sahondo and Fredrick for the home team, with Brendon Rendo coming in for Elshaamar Farasi, but that did not change the complexion of the game as it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Maruwa who took over from Tendai Chikuni was happy with the result.“We are very happy today as it is my first day, it was a good game. It’s a good start for us as we are coming from back to back defeats. I’m confident the team is shaping up well,” said Maruwa.
His opposite number
was also happy with a point away from home.“A point away from home is not too bad, I think we need to dust ourselves up and prepare for the game against Chegutu,” said Antipas.
Meanwhile, Ngezi Platinum eased pressure on their gaffer, Takesure Chiragwi when they beat their arch-rivals Chegutu Pirates by two goals to one in a Castle Premier League match that was played at Baobab Stadium yesterday. Ngezi Platinum stunned the hosts in the 34th minute through a strike by Talent Chamboko.
However, after the oranges, Tatenda Benhura made it 2-0 in the 50th minute. However, Pirates pulled one back in the 64th minute after a wonder strike by Cleopas Dube, whose bicycle kick was a marvel.Chiragwi was happy with the win.
“Today, these guys did very well. To be honest from the onset, they really wanted to win.“In terms of ball possession, we were better,” said Chiragwi. He said his team managed to keep possession hence the win.
“That is the reason why we managed to get those goals. We could have won probably by four or five goals. We had so many advantages and clear opportunities to finish them off, especially in the first-half,” he said.
Chiragwi said his players came back after the breather strong and dominated, putting pressure on Pirates and suffocating them in their own half.
“But 2-1 for us. I think we are happy. What was important for us was to get that win so that we bring the confidence back to the players,” said Chiragwi.Cheguto Pirates’ assistant coach, Godfrey Tamirepi, said his team’s performance was not actually bad, but the result was bad for the team.
Tamirepi said they wanted all the three points.“And when you look at the guys, we had a slow start to the game and that goal, which we did not defend very well was not good for us. The ball was played diagonally and we were too slow to shift to close down the guy who took a shot at goal,” said Tamirepi.
He added: “So, our biggest problem was defending and also during run of play in the early stages of the game our marking in midfield was terrible,” said Tamirepi.
He said Ngezi had more numbers in midfield and they could not cope up. “But, in the second-half we came strongly and it was just unfortunate that we couldn’t get an equaliser.
“However, we got a beautiful bicycle kick by Dube after the ball was played diagonally and headed across the goalmouth and he took it well,” he said. Tamirepi said his charges came back strongly but, unfortunately Ngezi’s defending was so resolute and protected their lead.
“We are going away to play Chicken Inn and they have been doing well and are on fire. “We need to have a cautious approach and we need not open up the game,” said Tamirepi.
Online Reporter