admin
Oscar Rusenga in TRIANGLE
GreenFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
MARLVIN Hwata scored a crucial second half goal as former champions Chicken Inn settled a vital point on the road in an entertaining Castle Lager Premiership match against new boys GreenFuel at Gibbo yesterday.
Both teams played open football as they attacked each other early on. And, GreenFuel, fresh from their away victory over Bulawayo Chiefs last weekend, the Billy Rautenbach-bankrolled team was confident of a positive result against the seasoned Gamecocks.
But it was Chicken Inn who came closest with striker Hwata, who was a last minute replacement for Brian Muza, crashing his effort against the underside of the crossbar in the third minute.
The home side responded swiftly but Bhukosi Sibanda’s effort narrowly missed the target after a cross from Collins Dhuwa.
Chicken Inn continued to push forward as they searched for an early opener and GreenFuel defender Tatenda Gora almost gifted the visitors after his back pass was intercepted by Hwata, who rounded off the goalkeeper David Bizabani, but the goalkeeper recovered and saved the shot from a tight angle in the 25th minute.
The two sides went to the break tied. It was surely a balanced affair as both sides had periods of dominance with GreenFuel’s Naison Takawira and Xolosani Moyo matching Tadiwa Chibunyu and Tafadzwa Kutinyu pound for pound in the middle of the park.
The hosts came back stronger early in the second half creating a handful of chances but were not lethal in front of goal.
Chicken Inn coach Prince Matore responded with a double substitution, introducing Muza and Genius Mutungamiri in place of Chibunyu and George Majika respectively in the 54th minute. The decision almost paid dividends.
Muza’ thunderbolt from about 18-yards came off the underside of the crossbar with only a minute after being introduced.
The visitors were punished for wasting chances as GreenFuel took the lead after Washington Mapuwa finished off a good team goal in the 58th minute, off an assist from Nqobile Ndlovu, who was a menace for the visitors in the final third.
Chicken Inn responded with an equally good goal after a quick one-two between substitutes Muza and Mutungamiri, leading to an easy tap in by Hwata from close range in the 69th minute.
Matore was happy with the result as well as the contributions of his new signings Chibunyu (formerly Cranborne Bullets) and Obert Malajila, who made his Premiership debut having joined from division one side ZPC Munyati.
“It was a tough game but I am happy the boys did well especially in the second half. Even when we conceded you could see that something was going to happen and when we scored the boys pushed for a winner. Unfortunately, lady luck was not on our side,” said Matore
GreenFuel gaffer Rodwell Dhlakama conceded it was a difficult game but was satisfied with the point against the 2015 champions.
“It was a tough game for both teams, it could have gone either way. They had their chances in the second half and we had ours in the first half but we take the point because we played against a very strong side.
“We will try to make amends before we play our next game against CAPS United.
“We need to win games and keep the PSL status. We have been playing away and if we play at our own venue we will surely have better performances at home,” said Dhlakama.
GreenFuel: David Bizabani, Clive Phiri, Tatenda Gora, Raymond Uchena, Honest Moyo (Reginald Chinemo 46min), Xolosani Moyo, Collins Dhuwa (Ashford Nyamajiwa 62min), Bhukosi Sibanda (Gamu Chikengezha 85min), Nqobile Ndlovu, Washington Mapuwa, Naison Takawira
Chicken Inn: Donovan Bernard, Marlvin Hwata, Xolani Ndlovu, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, George Majika (Genious Mutungamiri 54min), Arthur Chinda (Vincent Moyo 90min), Clive Dzingai, Dominic Jaricha, Tadiwa Chibunyu (Brian Muza 54min), Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Michael Charamba (Obert Malajila 78min)
Online Reporter