Gamecocks triumph

Innocent Kurira in BULAWAYO

Chicken Inn…. (0) 2

Hwange…………(0) 1

AN improved second-half performance gave Chicken Inn victory in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match that was delayed by 15 minutes following an embarrassing clash of colours just before kick-off.

Hwange, who were the away team, wore yellow stockings and black shorts, which were the same as Chicken Inn’s colours.

They were forced to wear another set of shorts and stockings.

Hwange might be sanctioned by the PSL for breaching standing rules.

Once the shameful drama was over, the Gamecocks surged ahead three minutes after the break through Itai Mabunu.

The defender latched onto a loose ball inside the box to fire home.

Chicken Inn doubled their tally through Malvin Hwata after 61 minutes.

He made a solo run into the box and found himself face-to-face with Hwange goalkeeper Wellington Muuya.  His initial effort was saved but it ricocheted into the nets after miscommunication between defender Elisha Zulu and Muuya. There was a frenetic end to the game after Hwange pulled one back six minutes from time via Shepherd Gadzikwa.

Chicken Inn, however, held on.

Yet it was Hwange who began the first half playing with high intensity but fizzled out in the second period.

Marcelline Mlilo almost got the visitors into the lead after 30 minutes with a low shot from outside the box, which drew a good save from Pride Zendera.

A minute later, veteran Thabani Goredema’s dipping free-kick from a long way out almost caused problems for Zendera, but it just went over.

Brian Muza wasted the hosts’ best chance of the half, just before the breather, when he failed to tap home from close range off a cross from the left.

The Gamecocks showed better intent soon after half time and three minutes later their probing paid off.

Michael Charamba also had a good chance to make it three after 80 minutes, when he was sent through on goal by substitute Richard Hachiro.

With the goal in sight, Charamba somehow missed the target.

Chicken Inn nearly paid for the missed chance, as Hwange got their breakthrough four minutes later and could have forced a late share of the spoils.

Teams:

Chicken Inn : P. Zendera, M. Hwata, G. Majika (O. Malajila 90 mins) M. Bhebhe, I. Mabunu, N. Ketala, C. Dzingai, (R. Hachiro 68 mins), B. Muza (V. Moyo 78 mins) S. Mhlanga, T. Kutinyu, M. Charamba

Hwange : W. Muuya, J. Mumpande, B. Mlotshwa, B. Rendo, C. Sibanda (C. Nkomo 64 mins), T. Goredema, B. Ngoma (C. Tshuma 64 mins), S. Gadzikwa, S. Sithole (T. Muvuti 69 mins), E. Zulu (G. Goriyathi 64 mins), M. Mlilo (J. Chivasa 64 mins)