Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
CHICKEN Inn 1-1 Highlanders
Chicken Inn and Highlanders will both play Premier League football again next year after surviving the drop with a one all draw in the final match of the 2025 campaign at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The two former champions finished tied on 39 points, narrowly maintaining their top flight status. With the Gamecocks and Bosso staying up, Kwekwe United, who had already been relegated before the final round, Greenfuel, Bikita Minerals and Yadah Stars all went down.
Brian Muza and Andrew Mbeba were the scorers for Chicken Inn and Highlanders. Muza headed home a Michael Charamba cross in the 26th minute to put the Gamecocks ahead. Mbeba levelled matters with a brilliant free kick from the arc of the penalty area in the 52nd minute.
The match was action packed as both sides fought hard for victory. Bosso created the first real chance in the 10th minute when Brian Mlotshwa, unmarked in the box, headed wide from an Mbeba free kick. A minute later, Charamba tried his luck from distance but sent his effort over the bar.
Bosso dominated possession and continued to threaten. In the 14th minute, Learnmore Muyambo’s long range effort missed the target and four minutes later George Majika and Joseph Tulani both headed over in quick succession. Moments after, Benjamin Adeogun’s dipping shot was parried away by Donovan Bernard.
After 21 minutes, Atusaye Nyondo almost capitalised on a Bernard mistake before Tendai Muvuti fired over the bar. Mason Mushore then found himself with room inside the box but hesitation cost him the chance to finish.
Mlotshwa was fortunate to escape with a yellow card on the half hour mark after a moment of violent conduct. Highlanders coach Pieter de Jongh was also cautioned in the 35th minute for throwing tantrums and kicking the ball back into play. Tempers continued to rise on the pitch.
At the stroke of half time, Lynoth Chikuhwa failed to connect with a pinpoint Xolani Ndlovu cross.
Soon after the restart, a slick Chicken Inn move ended with Ndlovu delivering another fine cross but Muza fired over. Minutes later, Mbeba struck the equalising free kick.
In the 68th minute, Charamba whipped in another dangerous free kick which Muza headed just over. In the 77th minute, Bernard nearly gifted Bosso a goal when he fumbled a Brighton Ncube shot, resulting in a corner. A late dipping strike from Malvern Hativagone flew just wide.
Teams
Chicken Inn:
Donovan Bernard (gk), Brian Muza (Leeroy Saungweme 90 mins), Xolani Ndlovu, Brendon Rendo, Malon Mushonga, Lincoln Mangaira, Itai Mabhunu, George Majika (Itai Makopa 69 mins), Lynoth Chikuhwa (Tadiwa Muchenje 69 mins), Michael Charamba, Joseph Tulani
Highlanders:
Ariel Sibanda (gk), Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Mlotshwa, Melikhaya Ncube, Tendai Muvuti (Reason Sibanda 55 mins), Andrew Mbeba (Malvern Hativagone 81 mins), Mason Mushore (Brighton Ncube 72 mins), Luckmore Mutumbi, Benjamin Adeogun, Learnmore Muyambo, Atusaye Nyondo
