Andrew
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
Harare City……………………………………… 0
Chicken Inn…………………………………….. 0
JOEY Antipas was left convinced that Harare City could upset a number of teams this season after his pacesetting Chicken Inn were held by the Sunshine Boys at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
The Gamecocks gaffer actually believes theirs was a point gained than two dropped on the road as the Bulawayo side opened a three-point lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League standings.
Manica Diamonds, who host Triangle at Sakubva this afternoon, are second with 13 points.
Former Warriors gaffer Antipas admitted that his team’s early pacesetters tag was now taking a toll on his charges.
“Everyone wants to take us off, that is the kind of pressure you have when you are on top.
“Harare City made it difficult for us, they were quicker to the ball and they dominated midfield exchanges.
“We had to put up a brave resistance. I must say Tau Mangwiro (Harare City coach) is doing a very good job.
“He has galvanised his team with some youngsters from the Cubs. They are doing very well. “They are a team that will upset a lot of teams,” said Antipas.
The veteran coach added: “But I should give credit to my boys. We gained a point because we were not playing at home.
“We would have loved to get all the three points but we are happy with this point.”
Harare City were quick off the blocks and made three attempts in the early exchanges.
However, it was Chicken Inn who nearly scored the opener in the 15th minute when speed merchant Michael Charamba outpaced Spencer Masunda but his shot was parried back into play by an alert Harare City goalkeeper, Kelvin Shangiwa.
Donald Mudadi’s header, off a cross by the impressive Masunda, was saved by Donovan Bernard as City upped the tempo towards the end of the first half.
The cool and calm Mudadi, who is nicknamed “Kante”, is Harare City’s new defensive midfielder after the departure of Tatenda Tavengwa to CAPS United last month.
Mudadi is one of the players who followed Mangwiro from Triangle.
The other ex-Triangle player, Tyler Mugoniwa, started on the bench.
Harare City started the second half the same way they finished the opening stanza with Clive Rupiya coming close on 49 minutes.
The diminutive striker did well to create space in the box and fired a rising shot that was punched away by an acrobatic Bernard.
On the other end, Chicken Inn’s leading scorer, Brian Muza’s tame shot was easily dealt with by Shangiwa in 65th minute.
Muza, who has four league goals, was fed by substitute Tawanda Zinaka.
Action swung from one end to the other in this exciting clash, with the menacing Rupiya blazing his shot over in the 72nd minute.
Mangwiro brought on crowd favourite, Tatenda Tumba, and the pint-sized forward made an instant impact, releasing Rupiya, whose strike was blocked for a corner in the 75th minute.
Tumba was back on the hunt shortly thereafter and this time his grounder was saved by a diving Bernard.
Antipas responded to the hosts threats by making a double substitution in a bid to neutralize a dominant Harare City.
Brett Amidu and veteran right back Passmore Bernard came on for Marlvin Hwata and Michael Charamba.
Amidu found himself free in the box but the midfielder curled his shot way off target.
After taking the game to the Gamecocks, Mangwiro was disappointed to come out of this contest with just a point.
“On the balance of play I think we deserved all three points.
“Our dominance deserved three points, yes we had some two or three scary moments but I think we deserved to win,’’ Mangwiro said.
TEAMS:
Harare City:
- Shangiwa, I. Zambezi, D. Dzvinyai, H. Chapusha, C. Mujuru, S. Masunda, D. Mudadi, C. Rupiya, W. Muvirimi, T. Mukono (T. Mukono 73rd), E. Mandiranga
Chicken Inn:
- Bernard, R. Hachiro, M. Charamba (P. Bernard 77th), N. Ketala, M. Jackson, C. Dzingai (T. Zinaka 62nd), I. Mabunu, X. Ndlovu, S. Mhlanga, B. Muza (B. Ncube 84th), M. Hwata (B. Amidu 77th)
Online Reporter