Chicken Inn wrap up season in style

Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Chicken Inn …………………………………..(0) 2
Flame Lily ……………………………………..(0) 1

CHICKEN Inn enjoyed their finest hour in their football history when they were crowned champions of local football at Lafarge in Harare yesterday.

The Gamecocks won their first ever premiership title when they dispatched Harare City to take an unassailable lead against the then title chasing duo of former champions Dynamos and FC Platinum.

But the league decided to honour them at the end of the season and they received the honours in style when they beat Division One bound Flame Lily. Veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu and defender Lawrence Mhlanga scored in the 59th and 71st minute before left back Divine Lunga turned it into his own net on the 90th minute in a match that was watched by Warriors coach Kallisto Pasuwa.

Championship winning coach Joey Antipas, his second having previously won it with Motor Action in 2010, said the crown was a result of hard work.

“It feels great to be champions,” said Antipas. “We worked very hard for it and put in a lot of effort, so hardwork has paid off.

“I am very happy for the team, for the club and also being Bulawayo-based, happy for the Bulawayo people. My wish would be to win the championship every year but it’s impossible so we just have to celebrate now,” said Antipas who was cheered on during the match by a handful of his friends most of them from Arcadia.

Not even the sad reality that they will not participate in next year’s Caf Champions League, due to lack of financial resources, would dampen spirits in the Gamecocks camp as they enjoyed their finest hour.