No Brazilian show at Baobab as Yadah lose

Langton Nyakwenda in MHONDORO-NGEZI

Yadah Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

Chicken Inn . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 3

THE three Brazilians who were unveiled at Yadah recently were at Baobab Stadium yesterday but watched from the stands as the hosts crumbled against an experienced Chicken Inn side in this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter.

Joao Pedro (20), Pereira de Brito David (21) and Luciano Farias Juan (20) are yet to get their work permits.

The Brazilians are, however, expected to feature against Dynamos at Barbourfields next weekend.  They must have been disappointed yesterday as their new teammates were put to the sword by the 2015 league champions.

Former Ngezi Platinum Stars winger Michael Charamba, who is very familiar with the Baobab turf, scored a brace, after Malvin Hwata had given the Gamecocks an early lead.

It took only 90 seconds for Chicken Inn to surge ahead when Hwata bundled the ball home, capitalising on a sleepy Yadah defence.

Six minutes later, Brian Muza broke through but failed to beat Yadah keeper Panashe Nyabunga from a one-on-one situation.

But the youthful goalkeeper was to blame for Chicken Inn’s second as he failed to deal with a rather tame shot by Charamba in the 37th minute.  The speedy Charamba slalomed his way past a cluster of defenders before beating a diving Nyabunga. He grabbed a brace with a free-kick early in the second half.  Once again, Nyabunga was badly positioned.  Charamba, who partnered Muza and Hwata in a front three, was troublesome the whole afternoon.

On most occasions, the trio combined perfectly.  That was not the case for Yadah, who had the hard-running Jerry Chipangura fighting a lone battle upfront.

His deflected shot hit the bar late in the first half.  However, Yadah did not go down without a fight as they managed to pull one back from the penalty spot late on.

Substitute Junior Zindoga won the penalty and converted it.

The result moved Chicken Inn to 25 points, six behind log leaders Highlanders and ensured a perfect recovery from last weekend’s morale-sapping 0-2 defeat by Dynamos.

For Yadah, it was a case of blowing hot and cold, as the Miracle Boys failed to build on to last weekend’s rare 1-0 win over champions FC Platinum at Mandava.

In the end, it was Chicken Inn coach Prince Matore who went home a relieved man.

“It’s important for us to keep collecting points, remain part of the chasing pack and see what happens,” Matore said.

“Our league is tough. Everyone is fighting for his life.  “All the teams are doing well.’’

Talented winger Calum English-Brown was given a rare run for Chicken Inn, coming on as a second-half substitute.

Despite rocking for WhaWha last season, the “White Lion” is yet to start for Chicken Inn, where he has been frozen out for unclear circumstances.

He was recommended to the Gamecocks by Joey Antipas before the veteran gaffer was reassigned to the post of technical director.