Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
CHICKEN Inn marched into the halftime break with their beaks up after a powerful Brian Muza header gave them a priceless lead in the Bulawayo Derby at Barbourfields Stadium.
The speedy forward rose highest in the 26th minute, burying a delicious Michael Charamba cross to put the Gamecocks ahead in a match loaded with tension, nerves and survival pressure.
But make no mistake, Bosso were the first to knock on the door. In the 10th minute, Brian Mlotshwa somehow headed wide from close range off an Andrew Mbeba free kick, a miss that left the Soweto Stand stunned.
A minute later, Charamba tried to show how it is done, firing a long range rocket that sailed over the crossbar.
Bosso kept their foot on the ball, dictating the tempo. In the 14th minute, Learnmore Muyambo unleashed a drive from distance that skimmed over the bar.
Chicken Inn then returned fire with two successive headed chances in the 18th minute through George Majika and Joseph Tulani, both failing to hit the mark.
Moments later, Highlanders’ Nigerian midfielder Benjamin Adeogun forced Donovan Bernard into a sharp save as his dipping effort was punched away for a corner.
Bosso nearly equalised in the 21st minute when Atusaye Nyondo pounced on a Bernard mistake, but the chance went begging. Tendai Muvuti then blazed over from a promising position seconds later.
Mason Mushore also found acres of space in the box but froze at the critical moment, losing possession before pulling the trigger.
The heat rose shortly after the half hour mark. Mlotshwa escaped with only a yellow card after violent conduct, while Highlanders coach Pieter De Jongh also saw yellow in the 35th minute for kicking the ball back onto the pitch in frustration.
On the stroke of halftime, Chicken Inn nearly doubled their lead when Lynoth Chikuhwa failed to connect with a pinpoint cross from Xolani Ndlovu.
The Derby of Doom is living up to its billing, full of fire, frustration and flying chances. The second half promises chaos.
