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Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
BULAWAYO Chiefs defeated Chicken Inn in an Independence Celebrations match at White City Stadium yesterday.
The match was part of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province activities.
The match ended 0-0 after regulation time and went straight into the spotkicks.
Bulawayo Chiefs won 3-2.
Despite the heartbreak of the shootout, Chicken Inn assistant coach Fortune Ncube said they were grateful for being chosen to play on Independence Day.
“It’s always tough to lose on penalties, but today was about more than just the result on the pitch. I want to commend the Government for organising such a prestigious match that allows us to celebrate our nation’s birth through sport,” said Ncube.
His counterpart, the winning coach John Nyikadzino, was ecstatic not just with the trophy, but with the spirit shown by both teams.
“Lifting the Independence Cup in front of such a passionate Bulawayo crowd is a massive honour for Bulawayo Chiefs,” he said.
In the penalty shootout, Chicken Inn’s Vassilli Kawe missed the target. Chiefs’ Clive Rupiya seized the advantage, coolly netting his strike to put his side in the lead.
The second set of kicks saw George Majika restore parity for the Gamecocks, while Chiefs’ Claivert Tshuma missed his effort. The pendulum swung again when Mpumelelo Bhebhe’s shot for Chicken Inn was saved, followed by a Brian Rusinga strike for Chiefs that rattled the right upright.
The turning point came when Simbarashe Goredema stepped up for Chicken Inn.
His miss was met with a roar of disbelief and laughter from the stands — an uncharacteristic error from a seasoned Premiership outfit.
Chicken Inn captain Joseph Thulani then provided the leadership needed, unleashing a “stinger” of a goal, before Zibusiso Dambo stepped up to slot home the decider, triggering wild celebrations.
Online Reporter