GOLDEN GLOVE RACE

Bruce Chikuni

CHICKEN Inn goalkeeper, Donovan Bernard, is closing in on his first Castle Lager Premiership Golden Glove award.

Bernard is among the players in the Gamecocks’ stable who can hold their heads high this season. Chicken Inn have been way under par in the second part of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.

They are 10 points off the mark on 54 points.

The Gamecocks appear to have rediscovered their winning formula, albeit too late, following three wins in their previous three games.

And, Bernard kept a clean sheet in all three, bringing his tally of clean sheets to 15.

His claim to the Golden Glove would have been boosted had he not missed three games when he was invited for trials by a South African First Division side.

His absence could also have contributed to Chicken Inn’s lapse in concentration, in the championship race, as their defence leaked goals during his absence.

And, Bernard’s brilliance is probably the reason the Gamecocks are still second on the log, after being temporarily toppled by Dynamos.

The 26-year-old is breathing down Dynamos’ goalie Taimon Mvula’s neck. 

Mvula is just one clean sheet ahead of Bernard.

Unfortunately, Mvula might not be back in time to extend his clean sheets, as he is still nursing a shoulder injury picked up in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final defeat by FC Platinum, two weeks ago.

Bernard said there will be no excuses should they fail to finish second.

“It’s been a difficult season for us, we really wanted to win the league, but in football you have to accept anything.

“We have now shifted our focus to try and end the season in second position at all costs.”

He added:

“Individually, I’m happy with how I have been collecting clean sheets. 

“I want to give credit to my teammates, as it’s probably my best season, in terms of statistics.

“With five games remaining, I believe I can even add more clean sheets and help the team finish second.”

Ngezi Platinum Stars’ ‘keeper Nelson Chadya is also in the picture for the goalie’s best prize.

He recorded his 14th clean sheet in their 3-0 thumping of relegation-threatened ZPC Kariba at Baobab Stadium on Saturday.

FC Platinum’s Wallace Magalane is also in with a shout with his 13 clean sheets that he could extend in the remaining matches.