Sundaymail Editor
Fungai Muderere in BULAWAYO
Chicken Inn (1) 2
Bulawayo City 0
CHICKEN INN announced the return of football with an impressive dismissal of Bulawayo City in a Chibuku Super Cup Group Two breakfast encounter at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Eighteen months after the last kick of the ball, Chicken Inn literally made breakfast of the city fathers in a match that kicked off at 11am, with the impressive George Majika and hard-running Obriel Chirinda sharing the goal-scoring duties.
The left-footed Majika thrust the Gamecocks into the lead in the 15th minute with a well-taken hard-and-low shot that beat diving Bulawayo City goalkeeper Bhekimpilo Ncube from close range.
Chirinda, who was introduced as a second-half substitute for equally pacey and stocky Brian Muza, got the assurance goal for the 2015 Premiership champions in stoppage time after his well-taken strike from just outside the box deflected off defender Vincent Moyo to beat Ncube.
Bulawayo City did put up a fight, especially in the second half, but Joey Antipas’ Gamecocks were so good and dangerous to ensure that a shock was never on the cards.
“It was a good result for us but we still have lots of work to do. We have been away from the game for a long time, but we did well in patches. Bulawayo City also did well, they fought for the entire 90 minutes. It was tough luck for them. We dominated the game and created a lot of chances, but we only scored two goals.
“Shepherd Mhlanga and Clive Dzingayi had a good show for us in midfield. In the back, our wing play was good. Our objective was to come out of our first game with three points,” said Antipas.
City gaffer Philani “Beefy” Ncube agonised over being forced to make adjustments to their starting line-up after five of their players — Aron Ngwenya, Douglas Sibanda, John Chinyerere, Mpumelelo Bhebhe and Dalubuhle Dlodlo — failed to get their player licences on time.
In their next match, Chicken Inn will battle against Chibuku Super Cup holders Highlanders, while City date “Twitter Kings”, Bulawayo Chiefs.
Teams
Chicken Inn: B Donovan, I Nekati, X Ndlovu, N Ketala, M Jackson, S Mhlanga, C Dzingayi, M Gaki (Pini 93 mins), G Majika (L Ndlovu 46 mins), B Amidu (Mutatiwa 78 mins), B Muza (Chirinda 66 mins)
Bulawayo City: B Ncube, L Ncube, V Moyo, B Phiri, N Moyo, D Mukandi, M Ncube (W Kamudyariwa 76th min), L Lunga (E Farasi 85 mins), Nkulungo (M Sibanda 77 mins), H Ncube (C Machisi 77 mins), W Mutasa
Online Reporter