The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Reporter
Chicken Inn ………………………………………….. (1) 2
ZPC Kariba …………………………….…………………. 0
CHICKEN Inn coach Rahman Gumbo heaved a huge sigh of relief after his charges scrapped a home victory against ZPC Kariba in a lacklustre Castle Lager Premier match played at White City Stadium yesterday.
So drab was the encounter that the visitors only hit one shot on target for the entire duration of the match.
The reigning champions who were virtually out of contention to defend their title at the start of the second half of the season went on the offensive as early as the third minute when their diminutive midfield veteran Clemence Matawu made a solo run from the centre circle dribbling past a cluster of defenders but skied the ball in an effort to chip it over an outdrawn Tendai Hove in goals for the visitors.
After Matawu’s miss the match went to sleep only to awaken from its slumber in the 21st minute after Warriors’ midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu received a pass on the edge of the box and immaculately fed veteran striker Ishmael Lawe who connected with a first time shot to beat a diving Hove.
It was Lawe’s second goal and his first start of the season. He was, however, booked for simulation in the 42th minute after he vied for a long ball and dribbled past veteran defender Thomas Sweswe on the edge of the box but deliberately fell in his attempt to make his way past Sylvester Appiah and referee Allen Bhasvi who had a good game rightfully showed him a yellow card.
In an effort to improve his attack ZPC Kariba’s mentor Sunday Chidzambwa introduced attacking midfielder Talent Chawapiwa for the defensive Boid Mutukure at the start of the second half. However, the move didn’t yield immediate results but it was the Gamecocks that almost doubled their lead after an otherwise out of sort former Highlanders striker, Ozias Zibande unselfishly chipped the ball to Pride Tafirenyika who miscued his effort with only the goalkeeper to beat. It was the only meaningful contribution by Zibande during his stay on the pitch before he was substituted in the 63rd minute for Brian Juru, as Gumbo made a double substitution which also saw Tafirenyika making way for Obadiah Tarumbwa.
Chidzambwa also made a double substitution in the 71st minute bringing out Tawanda Nyamandwe for Tyler Mugoniwa and Godknows Mangani for Takudzwa Mahori as he searched for an equaliser and a possible win.
The veteran gaffer’s move almost paid dividends as Timire Mamvura tested the Gamecocks’ goalie Pride Zendera with a snap shot against the run of play in the 75th minute and it was going to be the only shot on target for the visitors throughout the match.
A clever chip by Matawu just outside the box saw the ball hit a goal-charging Tarumbwa on the back and fell in front of him and he struck it after it had bounced once making it two up for the home side, taking his tally to six for the season.
Thereafter there was no goal mouth action as the home team appeared to be content with the two goal margin.
Chidzambwa blamed his players for failing to put in their all stating that “it was only the technical department in the game while the infield players weren’t in it”.
“I think to be honest we didn’t deserve to win, we played so bad in all halves and all departments and we didn’t get any shots on target. We have to go back to the drawing board and see if we can rectify our mistakes in the last three matches,” he said.
ZPC Kariba’s loss saw them failing to fortify their fourth position on the log and are likely to be beaten for the spot by Harare giants Dynamos in the event DeMbare manage to upset log leaders Caps United today at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
Chidzambwa’s opposite number Rahman Gumbo said they managed to rectify the mistakes which saw them lose to neighbours Bulawayo City last week.
“To be quite frank I think we rectified our mistakes we made in the last game. We came with a winning attitude because we knew ZPC would play with a defensive mind. I came here to build a team and I am still building although we are blowing hot and cold. I am building for next season,” he said.
@DNsingo
