Crestfallen Gamecocks to ring changes in spurless rearguard

FOLLOWING their 2-0 home loss at the hands of Harare giants, Dynamos, Chicken Inn head coach Prince Matore has hinted that he will make adjustments to the club’s defence, a department that he feels let them down on Saturday in a match that was played at Barbourfields Stadium.

Matore, who assumed the role of head coach at the Simbisa Brands-sponsored club early this year taking over from Joey Antipas, who is now the club’s technical director, felt let down by the team’s rearguard that comprised young Arthur Chinda, club captain Xolani Ndlovu and twin centre backs Dominic Jaricha and Mpumelelo Bhebhe.

As such the gaffer, who looked disturbed by the result, indicated that it was time to throw in ex-Bulawayo City skipper Vincent Moyo and towering Itai Mabhunu in their line of defence.

Last season, Moyo and Mabhunu, who have not enjoyed much game play this season, enjoyed good combination play.
However, after the recent signing of Jaricha and Bhebhe, from former Premier Soccer League side Bulawayo City, Moyo and Mabhunu have constantly been relegated to the bench.

“I think our defence let us down. I think it’s time to make a few adjustments and bring in new faces in that department. We lost in a good game of football but I think we should now try new defensive combinations by introducing Itai and Vincent,” said Matore.

On the other hand, DeMbare head coach Herbert Maruwa has all the reasons to be thankful for the team’s spirited show of play as the win over Chicken Inn was face saver to his future.

Chicken Inn were plucked out of their roost and left wondering how they were outsmarted by the fast run of play displayed by the Glamour Boys in the second-half.

Whatever Maruwa told his boys at the break, was enough to tame the Gamecocks.

The two goals by Dynamos, best seen as thunder strikes made Maruwa glee in contentment as he returned home.

A loss at Emagumeni could have spelt a blow on his priced job.

He survived the sack and he owes it first to Elton Chikona, whose perfectly calculated shot at the goal mouth in the 67th minute made sure the coach lives to see another day out of the dugout, barking instructions to the Glamour boys.

Nailing the last nail to bury the Gamecocks was Elie Ilunga in the stroke of full time.