The Sunday News
Bulawayo Chiefs ……………………….……. (2) 3
Chicken Inn ………………………………… (0) 1
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
EVERYONE loves to witness the underdogs upsetting the favourites, unless it is your own club involved, and they don’t come much bigger than Chicken Inn’s humbling at the hands of relegation-threatened Bulawayo Chiefs.
Yesterday, Joey Antipas took title contenders Gamecocks to Luveve Stadium with victory expected to be a formality. But Amakhosi Amahle were no mugs, despite being one of the poor sides in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
While journalists and supporters alike are still dissecting the clash, a day later, Gamecocks know deep down in their hearts that they were out of sorts and deserved the shellacking they were handed in a match where Arthur Musiyiwa and two goal hero Kundishora Chakanyuka were on target for Thulani Sibanda’s mentored side.
This took them to position 11 on the log with a total of 38 points. Stocky forward Obriel Chirinda got the face saver for Antipas’ men in the 68th minute. The defeat came days after Antipas, who is also the Warriors caretaker coach, led Zimbabwe to a 2-1 victory over Zambia, but the former Motor Action mentor knows that he has his work cut out if he is to win the championship race as Bulawayo Chiefs unmasked the fragility of his side.
“There is a God above and we will live with hope,” said a dejected Antipas. He added: “Bulawayo Chiefs were more than hungry than us. Our defending was very poor. We were found wanting especially in our central defence.”
Chicken Inn, who are set to take on Herentals in their next fixture, remained on 53 points, two behind log leaders Caps United. The 2015 champions are likely to fall further behind in the championship race depending on the outcome of Caps United and FC Platinum’s matches this afternoon.
Sibanda praised his charges for rising to the occasion.
“It was a tough game but we have to thank our boys for showing the much-needed character. Managing to score three goals against a club like Chicken Inn shows that we really wanted to win it. Our game plan worked well and we believe in terms of fitness we are up there,” said Sibanda.
Teams
Bulawayo Chiefs: D Bizabani, A Musiyiwa (Shumbanete 81 mins), I Badu, M Mkolo, S Dube, S Nyahwa, B Mpofu, K Chakanyuka (Chikosi 61 mins), L Ndlela, S Mhlanga, F Matare.
Chicken Inn: P Zendera, P Bernard, L Chakoroma, X Ndlovu, M Jackson J Nyabinde (Matawu 46 mins), T Chipunza, M Gaki (Kadonzvo 54 mins), G Majika, O Chirinda, I Muchaneka (Ndlovu 61 mins).
@FungaiMuderere
