The Sunday News
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
A 35 yards Danny Phiri sucker punch on the stroke of full-time saw Chicken lnn consolidate their lead at the summit of the log standings in a 2-1 win over Chapungu in a bruising Castle Lager premiership match at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday.
Chapungu had taken the lead in the 25th minute when Moses Jackson in an attempt to clear saw his effort ricochet off Allan Tavarwisa, beating a badly positioned Elvis Chipezeze to give the advantage to the host.
The goal seemed to spur Chapungu on, but they missed a lot of chances.
Edmore Chirambadare restored parity in the 57th minute. George Majika weaved past the Chapungu defence and squared the ball to Chirambadare, who fired home from close range beating a diving Roy Mazingi in goals for Chapungu.
It was a tale of two halves as Chapungu reduced the log leaders to amateurs with the Gamecocks’ only meaningful goal scoring chance coming in the opening stages of the match when Mitchell Katsvairo beat an offside trap and raced towards goal but his effort went off target with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Tavarwisa came close in the 16th minute when his turn and shoot effort missed the target by inches.
Chapungu were reduced to 10-men when Blessing Zabula was given matching orders by referee Allen Basvi after accumulating two yellow cards.
The Gamecocks proved they are a force to reckon with as they turned the tables in the second half by dominating play in the middle of the park.
It was a bruising battle as referee Basvi flashed five yellow cards and one red.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino blamed referee Basvi for being biased towards Chicken Inn.
“While I’m not taking anything away from Chicken Inn, I am not happy with some of the decisions made by the referee during the match.
“You would find that most of the 50-50 situations were being awarded to Chicken Inn.
“I’m very worried considering that Chicken Inn are title favourites and the match official is from Bulawayo. However, Chicken Inn played well and Danny Phiri’s goal was brilliant and you cannot take anything away from it,” said Nyikadzino.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas blamed his counterpart for not displaying good sportsmanship by inciting hostility among his charges.
“I’m not happy with the Chapungu coach who was encouraging his players to heckle my charges. That is ancient football and I do not expect that from a coach like him.
“It was a tale of two halves as we were trailing but we stormed back in the second half and managed to dismantle them.
“I am happy with the good form that we are enjoying as well as being on top of the log though it is too early to talk about the championship,” said Antipas.
Teams
Chapungu: R Mazingi, B Mbavarira, B Zabula, C Kwaramba, H Mugonowa, T Mombeshora, G Phiri, N Murisa, T Chitore, M Mavhuto, A Tavarwisa (P Marufu 76 min).
Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, J Bernard, L Mhlanga (G Goddard 32 min), M Jackson, B Mbiriri, D Phiri, C Matawu, T Kutinyu, M Kasvairo, E Chirambadare, J Majika.
