The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
CHICKEN Inn opened their 2018 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League account on a high when they dispatched Dynamos through a solitary strike from Obadiah Tarumbwa in an entertaining match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Tarumbwa only had Dynamos goalkeeper, Blessing Mandimutsira to beat in the 51st minute when he received the ball unmarked inside the box off a cross from George Majika on the right flank. Dynamos dominated the exchanges in the first 20 minutes but could not turn possession into goals and then the pendulum swung with Chicken Inn controlling the proceedings.
The hosts nearly scored in the 27th minute when Innocent Mucheneka’s header, off a Devine Lunga cross, went a few centimetres over bar.
The Gamecocks continued its dominance after the teams return from the breather and were duly rewarded with a goal when Tarumbwa cooly slotted the ball past Dynamos goalkeeper, Blessing Mandimutsira.
Dynamos brought in Valentine Kadonzvo for Ocean Mushure and Obey Mhwerahari for Kudzanai Demere in the 56th and 67th minutes and the changes saw the visitors making forays into the Chicken Inn’s goal area but they could not find the back of the net.
Chicken Inn gaffer, Joey Antipas expressed joy with the win saying it was important to start well and particularly against a big side like Dynamos.
“It’s important to hit the ground running and I am happy that we started the league with a win, which was our aim. We started off slowly as Dynamos dominated 15 to 20 minutes but then we settled and got into our groove and began dominating and creating chances.
“Defensively, we were quiet sound although we made mistakes here and there. I give credit to our defence for standing resolute despite the pressure Dynamos piled on us. In the midfield, I think (Simon) Munawa played a blinder of a game but we were not really sharp in attack and that is one area that we have to work hard on improving,” he said.
DeMbare coach, Lloyd Mutasa applauded his youngsters despite the defeat saying his charges played well and were unlucky to lose adding they will be focusing on the next match against Shabanie Mine.
“I applaud the youngsters for putting up a good show but there are certain moments in a game when you feel hard-done and you lose the plot but such is football. We have to re-group and focus on the next game. We were let down but a blunt strike force but I am impressed the boys never gave in and fought till the final whistle,” he said.
Teams
Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, P Bernard, K Chideu, D Lunga, M Jackson, S Munawa, W Kamudyariwa (T Goredema, 68th), C Matawu, G Majika (C Samakweri, 84th), I Mucheneka, O Tarumbwa (O Chirinda, 72nd)
Dynamos: B Mandimutsira, B Moyo, R Matova, M Machazane, J Tigere, J Marufu, K Demere (O Mwerahari, 67th), R Manuvire (Q Kangadze, 77th), C Kapupurika, T Macheka, O Muchure (V Kadonzvo, 56th)
