Mehluli Sibanda

Chicken Inn . . . .  .  (0) 1

Harare City .  . . . . . . .  0

A GOAL by substitute Tendai Ndoro assured Chicken Inn of three points against Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Luveve Stadium yesterday.

The game appeared to be headed for a draw as Chicken Inn missed a number of goal scoring chances until Ndoro who came in for Canaan Nkomo hit the back of the net.

Chicken Inn were the better side in the first half and went close to scoring when Makhosi Ncube’s goal bound powerful shot was blocked out for a corner nine minutes into the match.

Harare’s City’s best chance in the first period came 35 minutes into the encounter when Trymore Nyamadzawo struck a ferocious shot outside the box which Chicken Inn goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni did well to save but spilled the ball only to gather it on the second attempt.

Four minutes later, Thomas Chimenya for Chicken Inn did well to beat his marker wide on the left only for his cross into the box to find no takers. Chimenya was sent through three minutes before the end of the first half and it took some clever thinking from the Harare City goalkeeper Nomore John who came off his line to boot the ball into safety.

Chicken Inn continued with their dominance in the second half and two minutes after the break Chimenya saw his left footer sail over the post.

Adam Ndlovu, the Chicken Inn coach made a double substitution nine minutes into the second period which saw Ndoro replace Nkomo while Ntokozo Tshuma made way for Kudakwashe Mahachi. The changes made a huge difference as Chicken Inn literally camped in the Harare City half.

In the 57th minute, Mahachi set up Ndoro whose attempt at goal was blocked by Edgar Tapera. Ndoro went on to fire wide twice in quick succession after being released through on the right side.

As Chicken Inn continued pushing forward, Mahachi saw his brilliant free kick being pushed over the bar by John in the 72nd minute.

The goal finally came for Chicken with just five minutes left when left back Brian Mbiriri sent in a cross from the left which was met by Ndoro in the box and he fired first time giving John no chance at all.

Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi attributed his side’s loss to the two weeks PSL interval.

“Our game has gone down, the two week break affected us a lot, my boys didn’t play well. There was a lapse in concentration and we were punished,” said Mawiwi.

Ndlovu was a delighted man after picking up his eighth win of the season. He, however, said he is not getting carried away and would stick to his goal of finishing in the top eight.

Meanwhile, Monomotapa began life without Taurai Mangwiro with an impressive display that saw them dismiss a hapless Motor Action 3-1 at Rufaro stadium in Harare.

Norman Maroto thrust the visitors into the lead with a well-taken header that gave Artwell Mukandi in goals for the hosts no chance 26 minutes into the match off a cross from the left by Blessing Chimwamuchere.

But Monoz who were by far the better side of the day replied in the second half through goals by Obey Mwerahari, Russell Madamombe and man of the match Ronald Chitiyo.

Motor Action who, by the admission of their assistant coach Prince Matore, were the second best team should count themselves lucky to have gone to the breather with the lead as Monoz dominated play from the first whistle.

At Morris Depot Blue Rangers beat Black Mambas   2-1.

Teams

Chicken Inn: N Nyoni, M Ncube, T Chimenya, T Mukambi (Chikwaikwai 62 mins), H Dick, C Nkomo (Ndoro 54 mins), B Mbiriri, F Chindungwe, M Moyo, N Tshuma (Mahachi 54 mins)

Harare City: N John, T Nyamadzawo, R Uchena, G Nguwodzawo, E Tapera, W Nyamusaka, N Ziwini (Chawapiwa 54 mins), C Dickson, T Chiwosero, S Songani, W Kupera( Masika 62 mins)

Match Officials

Referee M Ndebele, First Assistant B Nyika Second Assistant R Nhananga, Fourth Official T Tavengwa.

Estimated crowd: 75.