Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
CHICKEN Inn finally found their shooting boots after more than 540 minutes without a goal, ending a six-match win-less run with a 2-1 victory over struggling Triangle United in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Gibbo yesterday.
The result brought relief for coach Tonderai Ndiraya and his players, who had endured weeks of frustration in front of goal, while deepening Triangle’s troubles at the foot of the table.
Triangle’s misery continued as they stretched their win-less run to 11 matches.
Their last victory came on Matchday Eight when they beat Manica Diamonds 2-0 at Gibbo. The Lowveld side remains rooted at the bottom with just 10 points from 19 matches. The hosts began brightly and created several openings in the opening exchanges but failed to make their dominance count.
Chicken Inn punished them in the 24th minute when Joseph Thulani rose unchallenged to head home from a hanging cross after goalkeeper David Mukuze failed to deal with the delivery.
Triangle were temporarily reduced to 10 men at the time after Tatenda Mchisa had gone down injured while Dominic Musonda waited to come on as his replacement. The home side continued to create chances through Tawanda Chatuluka, but Aaron Zeka, Emmanuel Paga, and Steven Zhogi could not find a way past the visitors’ defence. Chicken Inn goalkeeper Tymon Mvula then produced one of the decisive moments of the match on the hour mark, reacting sharply to tip a well-directed header over the bar.
Zhogi came close again later in the second half, but Democratic Republic of Congo defender Sefu Luison made a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve Chicken Inn’s lead.
The visitors eventually put the game beyond Triangle in the 79th minute when Innocent Masiiwa embarked on a dazzling solo run, beating three defenders before firing home from a tight angle.
Zhogi finally found a breakthrough for Triangle in stoppage time, but it proved too little, too late, as Chicken Inn held on for maximum points.
Ndiraya admitted the pressure had been mounting as his side searched for a return to winning ways.
“We needed to win. It has been long since we tasted a win, and the fact that we were playing a team at the bottom of the log piled a lot of pressure on us.
“We needed to win, and I am glad that we just did that. We hope this win will give the players more energy as we go into our next difficult fixture against Hardrock at home.
“It is a fixture that we will prepare for, but I am really excited that we got maximum points today, and well done to the boys for being patient until this win,” said Ndiraya.
Meanwhile, Manica Diamonds played a 1-1 draw with FC Platinum at Sakubva yesterday.
Teams:
Triangle: David Mukuze, Tatenda Mchisa (Dominic Musonda 25th min), Kelvin Mangiza, Jordan Pedra, Ariel Makopa, Thabani Kamusoko (Joel Munsaka 73rd min), Reginald Ngazima, Aaron Zeka (Vincie Mero 83rd min), Steven Zhogi, Emmanuel Paga (Nyasha Chintuli 83rd min), Tawanda Chatuluka (Talent Chawapiwa 83rd min).
Chicken Inn: Tymon Mvula, Vassili Kawe (Marvellous Faranando 85th min), Sefu Luison, George Majika (Lincoln Mangaira 54th min), Alex Mumbango (Tyrese Waungua 39th min), Itai Mabhunu, Trevor Sobona (Ngnowa Hapmo 54th min), Joseph Thulani, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Innocent Masiiwa (Itai Makopa 85th min), Brendon Rendo.
