adminGrace Chingoma Sports Reporter
Monomotapa …………………..(1) 1
Chicken Inn …………………….(0) 1
PREMIERSHIP leading goalscorer and Chicken Inn forward Tendai Ndoro struck his 15th goal of the season yesterday to force a share of the spoils with Monomotapa in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Gwanzura Stadium.
The Mpumalanga Black Aces- bound striker has returned to the domestic front to continue with his search for the league’s Golden Boot award and has set his target at 18 goals before leaving for the South African Premiership where he was signed by that league’s newboys.
Ndoro fired home the equaliser in the 71st minute and it was a classical goal struck on the turn that also ensured a decent start for the Gamecocks new coach Joey Antipas in his first assignment with the Bulawayo side.
It was an afternoon of spectacular goals as Monoz midfielder Ronald Chitiyo had struck another beauty in the 28th minute when, in an individual show of brilliance, he swept past virtually the entire defence with some fine dribbling skills before finding the target.
Monoz, Premiership champions in 2008, are sinking into oblivion with each passing game but Chitiyo is one player who will surely not be part of Division One football next year as his talent deserves a better platform.
Monomotapa remained firmly in the relegation zone as they are third from bottom but assistant coach Conrad Nyambabvu insited they would keep on fighting until the last game.
“Our game plan was to attack from the onset and try to wrap the game in first half. We did get a goal but failed to defend yet another lead. Today we stood a great chance to win but we were let down by our central markers.
“We also give credit to young Chicken Inn goalkeeper Liberty Chirava, who managed some briliant saves and saved from a one-on-one situation from Ronald Chitiyo who could have given us maximum points.
“We will fight to the last. Basically, the chances are getting slimmer and slimmer looking at the teams in the same situation with us. Black Rhinos, for example, are picking up points while we are just getting draws. We need to pick up points especially against the teams fighting relegation,” said Nyambabvu.
Former Motor Action coach Antipas, who replaced Mandla Mpofu last week, said he is still settling down in the “new city and new club’’.
Chicken Inn now have a strong Mighty Bulls flair with former players such as Clemence Matawu and Charles Mutero now reuniting with their mentor.
“I would have loved to start with a win but I am still trying to find my feet and a point away from home is not bad. Monoz put up a brilliant show. In the first half we struggled a bit and the transition from defence was a bit slow, but in the second half we improved.
“Our midfielders in the second half were a bit slow. Bulawayo is a nice place, I am still trying to find my feet but soon I will and life goes on,” said Antipas.
The hosts began brightly and in the first period they could have scored two goals but Ishmael Wadi directed his efforts wide off the mark after 30 minutes.
Monoz striker Allan Tavarwisa, who came in the second half, was also guilty of a missed from a one-on-one situation with Chirava. But Chicken, Inn who had regrouped, levelled terms and, with a bit of luck, Ndoro could have come out of Gwanzura with a brace.
TEAMS
Monomotapa: F. Chifamba, G. Murwira, L. Mhlanga, C. Rukwanhi, C. Mesi, M. Mungombe, R. Chitiyo, L. Sithole, H. Mugoniwa, N. Melson, I. Wadi.
Chicken Inn: L. Chirava, N. Nyoni, C. Mutero, M. Jackson, F. Chindungwe, B. Juru, T. Goredema, C. Matawu, C. Nkomo, K. Mahachi, T. Ndoro.
Online Reporter