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Innocent Kurira at Luveve
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 3
Simba Bhora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 2
FOR the third time this season, highly fancied Simba Bhora came to Bulawayo and dropped points, this time losing to Chicken Inn in a goal-filled Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Previously, Simba Bhora had visited Bulawayo and lost by an identical 1-0 scoreline against Highlanders and Bulawayo Chiefs.
Yesterday, they had hoped for a better outing in the city of Kings and Queens but they were two goals down at the break.
Brendon Rendo broke the deadlock after 15 minutes with a brilliant header off a Michael Charamba corner kick to send the hosts into the lead.
It was Rendo’s second goal of the season.
Charamba would also get his name on the score sheet after tapping home in the first half’s regulation time.
The second half belonged to the visitors who threw everything at the Gamecocks who seemed to be content with just absorbing the pressure.
For their efforts, Simba Bhora got their two goals in the second stanza, first through Walter Musona who converted a penalty kick after 73 minutes of play.
This was after a handling offence against Dominic Jaricha.
Just when Simba Bhora were probably sensing an equaliser Brighton Makopa scored a beauty for Chicken Inn which was their third goal in regulation time.
That was before action shifted to the other end where a lapse in concentration from the Chicken Inn defence allowed Mthokozisi Msebe to fire home the visitors’ second with a shot from outside the box.
Again Donovan Bernard was at his best as he made numerous saves that earned Chicken Inn three points on the day.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was happy to see his side bounce back to winning ways.
“Very happy about the win, I thought we stuck to our task very well. Simba Bhora is a very good side. I would say it was a game of two halves, we were on top in the first half and they came back in the second half, they made three changes and it changed the complexion of the game, they came at us,” said Antipas. He also praised his goal minder for another good performance.
“We did pretty well but I thought in their second goal we were a bit sloppy in defence from a corner kick, we should have cleared our lines. All in all, I’m chuffed about the three points because we needed the win, it puts us back in the limelight in the top four, and it was a good win for us. Once again, Donovan was outstanding, he made some point-blank saves, and he was great. We did very well, we had four regulars out but the guys who came in, stood up,” said Antipas.
Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya was happy with the performance, not the result.
“I am disappointed with the result but proud of how the team played today. Hopefully, in the next game, we get our act together and try to get a result at home. I think it’s our third visit here and we have come out with nothing so we have to capitalise on our home advantage in the next game,” said Ndiraya. Musona got a glorious chance in front of goal inside the box in the 37th minute but sent his shot over the bar, with the keeper only left to beat. Two minutes before the break, Tichaona Chipunza managed to beat his markers and sent in a low cross which Visili Kawe connected with well but Bernard was equal to the task and punched the ball to safety.
Teams:
Chicken Inn: Donovan Bernard (gk), Brian Muza (Brighton Makopa, 80mins), Lincoln Mangaira, Irvine Mukombwe, Dominic Jaricha, Brendon Rendo (Innocent Muchaneka, 47mins), Michael Charamba, Elshamar Farasi, Malvin Hwata (Tinotenda Alpha, 80mins), Xolani Ndlovu, Danny Phiri (Tadiwa Chibunyu, 67mins).
Simba Bhora: Taimon Mvula, Webster Tafa, Albert Manenji (Harrison Masina, 46mins), Partson Jaure, Blessing Moyo, Tichaona Chipunza (Billy Veremu, 46mins), Junior Makunike, Walter Musona (C), Ishmael Nyanhi (Mthokozisi Msebe, 46mins), Vassilli Kawe, Tymon Machope.
Online Reporter