The Sunday News
Senior Sports Reporter
Chicken Inn ………………………………… 0
Hwange ………………………………….. (1) 1
LOG leaders Chicken Inn had their title aspirations dented by a determined Hwange who snatched the three points in a lively Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played at Luveve Stadium yesterday. A goal by Collen Muleya just before the half-time break made sure that Chipangano took all the six points over the Gamecocks after a win by a similar margin in Hwange in May. It was the first defeat for Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium this season and only their fourth loss of their league campaign.
Chicken Inn remained rooted on 40 points but the chasing pack of Triangle and Dynamos, both on 35 points have a chance to close the gap in their respective fixtures at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
Edmore Chirambadare had an opportunity to put Chicken Inn ahead with 11 minutes played only for the second leading goal scorer in the league to rattle the crossbar from close range. A minute later, Gamecocks skipper Danny Phiri saw his header go over the posts after connecting well a cross from Clemence Matawu.
With 28 minutes gone, it was Michelle Katsvairo’s turn to miss from close range from a cross delivered into the box by left back Brian Mbiriri.
Bhekimpilo Ncube saw his powerful shot from his weaker right foot go wide eight minutes before the break. Three minutes after that, Chirambadare blasted his effort wide off target after being sent through by Katsvairo.
In a half during which they did not create much chances, Hwange found the only goal of the match three minutes before half-time. Muleya connected well with a long delivery,
controlled the ball and sent it past an exposed Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
A minute prior to the conclusion of the first period, Chirambadare shot straight at Hwange goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya.
Chicken Inn continued with their attacking prowess in the second half, Ncube’s header going off target four minutes after the break. Three minutes after, the Hwange defence was called into action to keep out a Chicken Inn raid.
Chicken Inn came alive in the last few minutes of the match, substitute George Majika creating most of the goal scoring chances but his teammates let him down.
Chirambadare, last on target on 6 June was withdrawn on the stroke of fulltime to be replaced by Ismael Lawe.
Hwange coach Nation Dube was delighted with the win which saw his side move to 25 points, the same as Highlanders and Chapungu. Dube still feels that they are still fighting against relegation because of their poor start to the season.
“We are happy for the three points, but we are not happy with where we are on the log. We are fighting relegation because we started the season badly,’’ said Dube.
A distraught Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas blamed the defeat on the challenging programme which saw them make the long journey to Mutare where they played Buffaloes last Wednesday.
“I thought we created the chances but came short, we just have to keep our heads up. We had a taxing programme with the journey to Mutare, I am not coming up with excuses that is part and parcel of the game,’’ said Antipas.
Chicken Inn have some tricky fixtures coming up against Highlanders, ZPC Kariba, Triangle and Dynamos.
Teams
Chicken Inn: Elvis Chipezeze, Moses Jackson, Brian Mbiriri, Lawrence Mhlanga, Guide Goddard, Danny Phiri, Clemence Matawu, Thabani Goredema( Majika 62 minutes), Edmore Chirambadare(Lawe 90 minutes), Bhekimpilo Ncube(Temwanjira 82 minutes), Michelle Katsvairo
Hwange: Takabva Mawaya, Andrew Chuma, Munyaradzi Mungadze, David Boriwondo, Gerald Ndlovu, Collen Muleya, Farai Vimisayi(Sianchali 84 minutes), Pritchard Mpelele, Innocent Mucheka(Zulu 64 minutes), Rodwell Chinyengetere, Aleck Marime
