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IF you are a fan of the Gamecocks, you will be forgiven for thinking that, maybe, there is more to your team’s league defeats this season than what meets the eye.
Twice they have lost at home, with both defeats coming against their two biggest rivals in the Castle Lager Premiership race this season.
And, on both occasions, Chicken Inn fell by an identical scoreline – 0-3.
That was the score when they suffered their first home loss of the season, going down 0-3, at the hands of champions FC Platinum in Bulawayo.
The match was played on July 2.
And, it was also the same scoreline, when they suffered their second home defeat of the season, when they went down 0-3 to former champions Dynamos, at Barbourfields, last Sunday.
The Glamour Boys came into the match as rank outsiders, after a poor run of form, which they only arrested when they forced a goalless draw against the champions, ahead of their trip to the City of Kings.
Crippled by injuries, and missing the influence of their teenage sensation, Bill Antonio, who is on trials in Belgium, goal-shy DeMbare were not expected to win against the Gamecocks.
Dynamos had not scored a goal, or won a game, in four straight matches, since a 3-0 thrashing of rivals CAPS United, in the Harare Derby, on June 5.
Defender Frank Makarati’s header, two minutes from time, completed the rout over the Green Machine but, amid the celebrations, little did they know that a drought was on the way.
The Glamour Boys did not score a goal, in their next four matches, which meant they had failed to breach defences, in SIX hours of football, ahead of their match against the Gamecocks.
But, somehow, the Harare giants managed to turn it around, with a superb attacking show, to bury the Gamecocks 3-0, and trigger wild celebrations at Barbourfields.
Maybe, they just caught Joey Antipas’ men on their off day.
That’s possible but it becomes interesting when one notes that it was the same scoreline (0-3 defeat), which was the result, when Antipas’ men crashed to their first home league defeat, against FC Platinum.
One could argue that it’s normal that, on their day, both DeMbare and FC Platinum can inflict such damage on Chicken Inn.
What is probably not normal is that the Gamecocks can be humiliated by WhaWha in a league match, as was the case at Ascot, on April 9, this year.
And, wait for it, the scoreline in that match was 3-0 in favour of the league newboys.
Admittedly, WhaWha have turned themselves into some sort of giant-killers, especially when it comes to their little fortress, at Ascot.
They have already beaten Ngezi Platinum (1-0) and Highlanders (2-1) in Gweru but those a decent scorelines and Bosso even missed a penalty in their loss.
It’s different from the 0-3 mauling which the bottom club inflicted on the Gamecocks.
Another club, Manica Diamonds, also came to Bulawayo and scored THREE goals against the Gamecocks.
When they scored the third goal, in time added on, they appeared set for a sensational victory.
However, Chicken Inn fought back, in the dying embers of the game, and found an unlikely equaliser, to force a share of the spoils.
But, before we get excited, let’s put everything into focus.
Chicken Inn have lost five league matches, so far in the campaign, where they find themselves six points adrift of the champions.
They were beaten 1-2 at Mandava by the champions and those, who have been mesmerised by the mystery of how three goals appear to be tied to the Gamecocks this season, will find another reason to believe in their fantasy.
But, then the Tenax fans will say they beat the Gamecocks 1-0, which shows there is no substance, whatsoever, to this three-goal mystery.
Whatever the case, it’s these little things which make football such a beautiful game.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter