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A FURIOUS Joey Antipas took a swipe at some of his players, whom he accused of “living in a comfortable zone”, after Chicken Inn came back from behind to snatch a draw in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie against Yadah at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
The Gamecocks needed an injury-time equaliser to grind a result that leaves them two points above Dynamos, who host Herentals at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
Yadah thought they had won it when Brian Kadamanja scored in the 88th minute, but substitute Leroy Ndlovu popped up at the right time to hit home the leveller.
In the end, the Gamecocks blew a golden chance to stretch their lead at the top.
Chicken Inn, who have always struggled against Yadah in Bulawayo, could have opened a four-point lead over Dynamos had they beaten The Miracle Boys.
Instead, Antipas’ men were frustrated by a spirited Yadah.
“Very frustrating! We should have won this game in the first half,” lamented Antipas.
“If you miss chances the way we missed, we are bound to get punished …
“Second half, it was a bit of a struggle, especially when we made the substitutions … but the subs that we made didn’t pitch up.”
The seasoned coach brought in George Majika and Ndlovu for Brett Amidu and Passmore Bernard in the second half.
Striker Clive Augusto is already back at Chicken Inn but will only be available when the mid-season window opens.
Antipas also intimated they might make some additions to the team.
“We will also try and bring in some players during the window, because I think some of our players are now living in the comfort zone; they are not pitching up, and it happens.”
After a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Triangle yesterday, FC Platinum clawed back to within four points of the Gamecocks.
Chicken Inn have always struggled against Yadah at Luveve.
The Miracle Boys are yet to lose a league match against the Gamecocks in Bulawayo since 2017 when they were promoted into the Premier Soccer League.
Yadah beat Chicken Inn 2-1 in 2017, before the two teams played out to 1-1 draws in 2018 and 2019.
However, Yadah coach Genesis Mangombe still expected a tough encounter.
“I knew it was going to be a difficult game for us.
“We were playing very far away from home and we were playing one of the teams who are playing some very good football and are enjoying being at the top of the log … I am happy we managed to collect the point, of which if we were mature enough, we would have collected maximum points,” he said.
Online Reporter