Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere in Mhondoro Ngezi
Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
A BRETT Amidu first half brace was all that Chicken Inn needed to beat a 10 man Ngezi Platinum Stars in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
The win saw the Gamecocks remain on top of the log with 22 points from nine outings. Joey Antipas’ men have gone for a seven game unbeaten run and yesterday’s triumph saw them break a six-year jinx of failing to beat Ngezi Platinum Stars at their home ground since their first dance in the country’s elite football league.
Amidu, who was undoubtedly on top of his game, thrust the Gamecocks into the lead in the 12th minute after he unleashed a rising stinger from outside the box that a diving Nelson Chadya all systems out.
In the 29th minute, an unmarked Malvin Hwata watched in disbelief when his clever chip in front of goal missed the target by a whisker with Chadya already a beaten man. Three minutes later the hosts went one man short after McDonald Makuwe was given a straight red card after a nasty challenge on Richard Hachiro.
From a Brian Muza feed, Amidu found the second goal for Gamecocks in the 37th minute. The latter let loose a clever outer foot shot with his right leg. In the second half the hosts came out a determined lot asking a lot of questions from the Chicken Inn camp only to be eluded by the much needed goals.
An overjoyed Antipas said it was a solid performance from his charges.
“I think we deserved to win this match. It was a clinical performance from us and we found the openings in the first half. I’m happy we managed to get our first win against Ngezi in their own backyard since they got promoted into PSL,” said Antipas.
He added that their game plan was to eliminate veteran Denver Mukamba.
“Denver did not play and that was our game plan. I’m happy for Brett Amidu who gave us the goals. It is an important win. We broke the jinx,” said Antipas.
A hostile Takesure Chiragwi conceded there is need to go back and work harder at training.
“What did you see? We played and lost 2-0. We will need to regroup and work harder,” said Chiragwi.
Asked if the rumours on the appointment of former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari as the club’s new head coach had affected him in any way, the gaffer went ballistic.
“Why are you asking me about that? I don’t need to mind about things that I don’t have control on. I don’t know anything, my job is to coach these boys. I will not comment on things that are being circulated on social media. Go and talk to the relevant authorities in the management. All I can say we lost three points at home,” said Chiragwi.
Teams
Ngezi Platinum Stars: N Chadya, D Mukamba (Taderera 54mins), A Makopa, C Mavhurume (Mlilo 54mins), M Mukumba (Kadonzvo 79mins), P Moyo, K Chigwida, M Makuwe, Q Amini, T Sibanda (Mtigo 28mins) D Murimba
Chicken Inn: D Bernard, R Hachiro, M Charamba (Majika 74mins), N Ketala, M Jackson, B Amidu (Dzingai 74mins) X Ndlovu, S Mhlanga (Khumalo 74mins) B Muza (Ncube 79mins), M Hwata (Pini 84mins), Mabhunu
— @FungaiMuderere
Online Reporter