Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Luveve Stadium
Chicken Inn 0-0 Bikita Minerals
CHICKEN INN were held to a frustrating nil-all draw by visiting Bikita Minerals at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday afternoon in their first home game of the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Despite dominating possession and creating early chances, the Gamecocks were unable to break down a well-organised Bikita Minerals defence.
From the onset, Chicken Inn looked the more dangerous side, with Brian Muza threatening early with a header from close range, which was comfortably saved by Bikita Minerals goalkeeper, Tawanda Dendera.
The hosts’ new signing, Tinashe Mushaireni, also had a promising chance when he found space in the box, but his shot flew wide of the target.
Bikita Minerals had their own moment of danger in the 23rd minute when Tinashe Ruzive broke free on the left wing. His curling shot rattled the post, leaving Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard beaten, but the visitors could not find the back of the net.
The hosts enjoyed a majority of possession but failed to break down a resolute Bikita Minerals defence.
Despite some promising moments, the Gamecocks were unable to capitalise on their chances.
In the second-half, Chicken Inn continued to press for a goal, and in the 65th minute, Mushaireni had another excellent opportunity to score after being set up by substitute Michael Charamba. Unfortunately, he shot wide of the goal, much to the frustration of the home side. The visitors came close in the 83rd minute when Ruzive unleashed another shot on target, only for Bernard to make a strong punch to send the ball out for a corner. Despite these missed chances, the visitors showed resilience and held their ground against the home team.
The final moments of the match saw the best chance of the game.
Charamba controlled the ball well inside the box and aimed for the winner, but his powerful shot crashed against the crossbar, leaving both teams to settle for a goalless draw.
Bikita Minerals coach Wilson Mutekede was pleased with his team’s performance, although he acknowledged they could have come out with three points.
“Obviously, if you look at the proceedings of the game in terms of chances created, we thought we could have wrapped up the game. But look, it’s the beginning of the season. We are still getting to understand each other and trying to make the combinations. We are happy to have probably grabbed a point. We managed to diffuse our opponents,” said Mutekede.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas expressed his disappointment, particularly with Charamba’s missed opportunity at the death.
“Charamba should have buried that one, but it happens in football. He did very well to control the ball, but I thought maybe if he was composed, it was going to be a tap-in. Instead, he went for power and hit the bar,” said Antipas.
