Gamecocks gaffers, Brito still have hope in title challenge

AFTER watching their charges floor Bulawayo football giants Highlanders in their second consecutive defeat of the 2023 season in a match played at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, Chicken Inn coaches Prince Matore and Farai Tawechera have reckoned all was pointing to good.

Brian Muza and Michael Charamba’s second half wonder strikes were enough to help Gamecocks thump their cross town neighbours.
“I am a happy man, it’s all pointing to good, we badly needed this victory. It gives us all the confidence as we march forward. We fought as a team and won as team but the celebrations will need to be cut short,” said Matore.

His assistant Tawarechera said finishing as one of the top clubs was top of their agenda.
“It’s everyone’s wish to perform well in a particular season. We are aiming at becoming one of the top clubs. We are within the chasing pack and if we fail to achieve our main target we should finish in the top three or four,” said Tawechera.

Their 2-0 triumph over Amahlolanyama saw the entire Gamecocks family led by club chairman Juta Tshuma, secretary- general Tavengwa Hara and board member development Makhanyiso Moyo rise in unison to celebrate the victory at a packed Emagumeni.

However, courtesy of the win Gamecocks remained on position five with 35 points, six behind log leaders Bosso who previously enjoyed a 19-game unbeaten run.

Manica Diamonds are now on position two and they are tied on 39 points with third placed Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Diamonds beat Rodwell Dhlakama’s Greenfuel 2-0 in a tie that was played at Gibbo Stadium.

Highly fancied Ngezi Platinum Stars were handed a surprise 2-1 defeat by Herentals College to make the championship league race wide open after 21 rounds of play, with four home wins, two away triumphs and three draws.

It was a weekend in which the Bosso faithful was left cursing their football gods.
However, the club’s technical manager Baltemar Brito, who is among the coaches that are heavily tipped to assume coaching duties in the pending Warriors technical team set up, maintained all hope was not lost.

“Chicken Inn played well and we lost to a good team. We will need to refocus and we are really focused on the job at Highlanders. It was a difficult game,” said a dejected Brito.

Week 21 Results
Highlanders 0-2 Chicken Inn, Triangle 1-0 ZPC Kariba, Caps United 0-0 Black Rhinos, Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 FC Platinum, Cranborne Bullets 0-1 Dynamos, Herentals College 2-1 Ngezi Platinum Stars, Manica Diamonds 2-0 Green Fuel, Sheasham 1-0 Hwange, Simba Bhora 1-1 Yadah Stars — @FungaiMuderere.