The Sunday News
Chicken Inn………………………………………… (1) 2
Highlanders………………………………………… (1) 1
HIGH-FLYING Chicken Inn increased pressure on a seemingly out of sorts Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu who appears to have thrown in the towel, when they outwitted their city rivals in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Goals in either half by Canaan Nkomo and Edmore Chirambadare both “lovely’’ gifts from Highlanders, sandwiched by a Simon Munawa facesaver saw Mafu register a fourth defeat of the season, his third at Barbourfields Stadium.
Mafu, who vowed during a Highlanders arranged Press conference during the week that he was not going to throw in the towel no matter the circumstances, might now be forced to rethink his position at the oldest football institution in the country as the results continue to elude him.
Speculation has been rife that the coach was given a target of 18 points after 10 matches, something he has failed to achieve as he finds himself on 14 points with four wins, two draws and four defeats.
It is now to be seen whether the Highlanders’ leadership will choose between Mafu and a floundering league campaign.
It was not surprising that Mafu was at the end of the match a subject of the unpleasant songs composed by fans at the popular Soweto stand which have been the norm since Highlanders lost to Chapungu last month.
The victory saw Chicken Inn rise to the top of the table with 23 points, three ahead of Triangle who are away to FC Platinum in Zvishavane this afternoon.
Chicken Inn, coming from two draws in succession were the quicker off the blocks, taking full advantage of some sloppy defending by Highlanders. Former Gamecocks skipper, now Bosso leader Felix Chindungwe lost possession on the right side of the Highlanders defence to Chirambadare in the sixth minute. The former Tsholotsho FC hitman delivered a cross for Nkomo who made no mistake as he riffled the ball into the back of the net, a goal that Takunda Mutanga, chosen ahead of Ariel Sibanda, could do nothing about.
Highlanders were forced to make an injury inspired substitution early into the match, when speedy winger Gabriel Nyoni was stretchered off clutching onto his right hamstring. He was replaced by Knox Mutizwa with 13 minutes played.
Highlanders forward Thomas Chideu was slow to react when put through which allowed Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze to beat him to the ball.
As Bosso kept pushing for a goal Mthulisi Maphosa, back in the first team after a lengthy spell on the sidelines because of a knee injury, headed wide off target from an Obadiah Tarumbwa free kick in the 19th minute. Mutizwa put Munawa through for the equalising goal for Highlanders in the 35th minute, through a low left foot grounder that was beyond the reach of Chipezeze.
With six minutes left before the break, Mutanga produced a fine save to deny Chirambadare when the Gamecocks striker managed to outwit two Highlanders defenders.
Tarumbwa wasted an opportunity to give Bosso the lead, guiding his free kick from outside the box over the bar.
Five minutes into the second half, Chideu fired over the bar when he found himself unmarked in the box.
Chirambadare was booked by Kwekwe based referee Munyaradzi Majoni for going down easily in the box under challenge from Teenage Hadebe in the 52nd minute.
Tarumbwa had the Highlanders fans off their seats in the 55th minute only for his left footer to sail over the bar.
The goal, which won the match for the Gamecocks, came in the 65th minute, Chirambadare taking full advantage of a spill by Mutanga to strike from close range.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was thrilled with his side’s win which he felt came as a result of dominance in midfield that was well marshalled by Thabani Goredema and Tafadzwa Kutinyu.
“I feel we fully deserved the three points, we had problems in retaining possession in the first half but controlled the game well in the second half. We now have to continue to be focused,’’ said Antipas.
Mafu felt that they were the better side than Chicken Inn but the Gamecocks scored the goals which won them the match.
“We played football, they scored the goals, they didn’t play football if you give away freebies you get beaten. We need support not this antagonism from the fans each time we lose a match, every coach in the Premier Soccer League is under pressure so I am also under that pressure ,’’ said Mafu, who hastily walked away before the reporters were done with him.
Teams
Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, M Jackson, C Matawu, D Lunga, T Goredema, M Katsvairo (Dube 82 minutes), P Bernard, E Chirambadare, T Kutinyu, L Mhlanga, C Nkomo (Majika 67 minutes)
Highlanders: T Mutanga, F Chindungwe, T Hadebe, B Kangwa, J Daudi (Kutsanzira 66 minutes), T Chideu (Ndiweni 86 minutes), G Nyoni (Mutizwa 13 minutes), M Maphosa, N Masuku, O Tarumbwa, S Munawa.
