Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira At Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1-1 Chicken Inn
HIGHLANDERS and Chicken Inn shared the spoils after playing out a 1-1 draw in a balanced Bulawayo Derby at Barbourfields Stadium on Wednesday.
The result comes just days after Highlanders defeated the Gamecocks on penalties in the Chibuku Super Cup, but Chicken Inn responded with an improved second-half display to earn a point.
Highlanders enjoyed the better of the opening half, with Mongameli Tshuma combining well with Never Rauzhi as Bosso looked the more threatening side in the early stages.
Never Rauzhi came close to breaking the deadlock after being set up by Tshuma, but his curling effort missed the target.
Highlanders eventually took the lead in the 22nd minute when Benjamin Adeogun produced a fine piece of skill on the right, beating his marker before delivering a superb cross which was expertly headed home by Rauzhi.
Chicken Inn showed flashes of threat, with Michael Charamba providing an outlet on the right, while Brendon Rendo also delivered a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded Man Ykre Hapmo.
The Gamecocks were rewarded for their pressure just before half-time when they were awarded a penalty in the 41st minute after Nomore Chinyerere brought Man Ykre Hapmo down inside the box.
Tyrese Hukupembe made no mistake from the spot to restore parity.
The second half was a different affair, with Chicken Inn returning with greater purpose and improving their attacking play, although Highlanders continued to pose a threat.
Blessing Chizhande