The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
Chicken Inn ……………. (1) 2
Shabanie Mine ……………. 0
CHICKEN Inn recorded their third win on the trot when they dismissed visiting Shabanie Mine in a lively Castle Lager Premier Soccer League played at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in Bulawayo yesterday. First half goals from Captain Danny Phiri and a brilliant header from the impressive Thabani Goredema assured the Gamecocks of their third set of maximum points in a row following identical 1-0 wins over Hwange and Chiredzi.
The match started off at a slow pace with none of the teams getting any goal scoring opportunities. However, Chicken Inn had the first chance with 17 minutes played when Bhekimpilo Ncube’s powerful shot from outside the box went wide.
Seven minutes later, veteran midfielder Rowan Nenzou drew out a save from Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze after connecting well a cross from the left by Terrence Majo.
Shabanie Mine forward Carlos Mesi saw his header miss the target from a corner kick taken by Wellington Kamudyariwa after 33 minutes. Three minutes after, Ncube was released through by Clemence Matawu, but his effort was saved by Shabanie Mine keeper Victor Twaliki using his feet.
The opening goal arrived for Chicken Inn with 37 minutes gone when Phiri released a thunderous grounder into the back of the nets from outside the box after being set up by Mkhokheli Dube.
Chicken Inn left back Brian Mbiriri came up with a good block to avert the danger when Nenzou was put through by an overlapping Zvenyika Makonese.
Chicken Inn got their second goal just before the break, through Goredema with a powerful header off a Mbiriri cross from the left after some fine work by Matawu.
Majo was stretchered off unconscious just before the break to be replaced by Lloyd Ngara at the start of the second half. Ten minutes into the second half, it took a block from Shabanie Mine skipper Rodney Mware to deny Goredema after a good dummy by Dube.
Allan Tavarwisa sent his effort high from inside the box 14 minutes into the second half. As Shabanie Mine started moving forward, Mware shot over the bar from inside the box as did replacement Michael Mageja soon after.
Substitute Ishmael Lawe was sent through in the 77th minute but veteran goalkeeper Twaliki was up to the task with a save.
With three minutes to go, substitute Gift Saunyama guided his effort over the bar from inside the box.
Meanwhile, in other Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches played yesterday, Harare City thrashed How Mine 3-0 at Rufaro Stadium while across the capital city at Gwanzura Stadium, ZPC Kariba recovered from the shock of losing 3-0 to Chapungu during the midweek which was their first loss of the season to thump Bantu Rovers 2-0.
Teams
Chicken Inn: Elvis Chipezeze, Moses Jackson, Brian Mbiriri, John Bernard, Lawrence Mhlanga, Brian Juru, Danny Phiri(captain), Clemence Matawu(Lawe 65 minutes), Bhekimpilo Ncube, Thabani Goredema(Majika 72 minutes), Mkhokheli Dube(Mukambi 82 minutes)
Teams
Shabanie Mine: Victor Twaliki, Godknows Murwirwa, Terrence Majo(Ngara 46 minutes), Zvenyika Makonese, Rodney Mware, Marvellous Dikinya, Wellington Kamudyariwa, Rowan Nenzou, Allen Tavarwisa(Saunyama 82 minutes), Hamilton Masumbuko, Carlos Mesi ( Mageja 46 minutes)
Match Officials
Referee: Philani Ncube
First Assistant Referee: Brighton Nyika
Second Assistant Referee: Salani Ncube
Fourth Official: Tambudzayi Tavengwa
Match Commissioner: Michael Phiri
Estimated Crowd: 75
