Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHICKEN INN ended Dynamos’ 15-match unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory on Sunday, leaving the Harare giants 11 points off the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title pace with seven matches remaining.
Joseph Thulani struck a brilliant late second-half goal to hand DeMbare their first league defeat in 16 matches and leave the championship race increasingly looking like a contest between Scottland and Hardrock.
Defending champions Scottland retained top spot with 57 points after beating Simba Bhora 2-1 away, while Hard-rock remained three points behind following an identical victory over FC Hunters at Rufaro.
Ngezi Platinum Stars moved into third on 47 points after beating hosts Manica Diamonds, with Dynamos slipping to fourth on 46.
DeMbare had revived their title challenge during their unbeaten run, but eight draws prevented them from closing the gap.
Their seven wins and eight draws yielded 29 points. Over the same 15 rounds, Scottland collected 34 points from 10 wins, four draws and one defeat, while Hardrock picked up 27 from eight wins and three draws.
More damaging for Dynamos has been their recent slowdown. They have won only once in five matches and scored twice during that period.
That is a sharp departure from the early promise shown after technical director Aristica Cioaba arrived in July pledging possession, aggressive football and goals.
Seven matches into his tenure, DeMbare appear to have returned to default settings.
Cioaba blamed fatigue after a demanding week that included the rescheduled midweek clash with Scottland, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
“This week we had three games that were tough; hence, physically and mentally we were not 100 percent,” said Cioaba.
