Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 0-0 Chicken Inn
CHICKEN INN goalkeeper Donovan Bernard may have played his final match in Gamecocks colours yesterday when his side battled to a goalless draw against Highlanders in a tepid Bulawayo Derby at Barbourfields Stadium.
The towering shot stopper, who has served the Simbisa Brands sponsored club with distinction over the years, was once again in imperious form, pulling off several crucial saves to deny a wasteful Bosso side.
Impeccable sources have revealed that Bernard is set to join South African First Division side Kruger United. Even more intriguing are whispers that DStv Premiership giants Orlando Pirates are reportedly eyeing him for a loan deal from the ambitious second tier outfit.
“All I can say is that Donovan Bernard is on the move. It was probably one of his last games in our team colours,” confirmed Chicken Inn secretary-general Tavengwa Hara.
Gamecocks coach Joey Antipas admitted the club will sorely miss Bernard if the move materialises.
“Donovan has done well in between the sticks for a couple of seasons. If he is going, we will really miss him. He has been a fantastic player who always gave his all for the Chicken Inn badge,” said Antipas.
The match itself, the first installment of this season’s Bulawayo Derby, failed to live up to its billing, with both sides lacking bite and creativity in the final third.
“We’ll take the point. Playing three games a week is not easy. It was a very tactical game, but both teams lacked the edge to win it,” added Antipas.
His counterpart, Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu, echoed similar sentiments.
“We dropped two crucial points. Playing three games in seven days is taxing. There was no intensity, no flair in this match. However, a point is better than a loss,” said Kaindu.
The opening half was the more lively of the two, with both teams carving out chances but lacking a killer instinct.
Highlanders nearly drew first blood in the fifth minute when Mvelo Khoza’s dipping shot was spectacularly tipped over the bar by Bernard. Minutes later, Chicken Inn responded with a dangerous cross from Xolani Ndlovu that Brian Muza failed to convert.
Muza was again guilty of fluffing his lines in the eighth minute, this time slicing wide from a Genius Mutungamiri delivery. Bosso had a chance in the 13th minute when Never Rauzhi burst into the box but was tackled before he could unleash a shot.
In the 38th minute, Rauzhi flicked a clever pass into Brighton Ncube’s path, but the striker sent his effort skyward. A minute later, Bernard comfortably gathered a tame effort from Muza.
The second-half was largely subdued. Andrew Mbeba missed narrowly from a free kick early on before George Majika sent his long-range effort wide.
Bernard was called into action again in the 57th minute when he stretched full length to parry over Rauzhi’s volley. Moments later, substitute Marvin Sibanda’s cross was fumbled but recovered by Bernard under pressure.
In the 81st minute, substitute Tendai Muvuti delivered a pinpoint cross, but Reason Sibanda failed to direct his header on target.
Teams
Highlanders: Reward Muza (gk), Mvelo Khoza, Talent Dube, Brian Mlotshwa, Mckinnon Mushore (Marvin Sibanda 66’), Melikhaya Ncube, Prince Ndlovu (Prince Ndlovu 58’), Brighton Ncube (Tendai Muvuti 81’), Andrew Mbeba, Never Rauzhi, Hubert Ncube (Darlington Munkuli 58’).
Chicken Inn: Donovan Bernard (gk), Lincoln Mangaira, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Itai Mabhunu, Xolani Ndlovu, Dominic Jaricha, Michael Charamba (Walter Vuwa 77’), Brian Muza (Kumbirai Mutenha 66’), Brendon Rendo, Genius Mutungamiri (Tinashe Mushaireni 66’), George Majika (Edward Musena 77’).
