The Sunday News
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
Chicken Inn ………………………………… (0) 1
Simba Bhora……………………………………..0
CHICKEN Inn picked their first three points of the season with a hard-fought win over Castle Lager Premier Soccer League newcomers Simba Bhora at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Having toiled for the greater part of the game, the Gamecocks found their breakthrough in the 67th minute through central midfielder Shepherd Mhlanga who scored the only goal of the match. Mhlanga headed home from close range a George Majika free-kick from the left side.
Chicken Inn did not have it easy as the visitors were defiant till the goal came. In fact, the game could have gone either way as the two sides all had a fair share of the ball centrally but could both not create clear cut chances.
Prince Matore, the Chicken Inn coach was delighted to register his first victory as the Gamecocks mentor.
“We are excited to get these three points to give us confidence. It’s a long season, if you get three points at home it gives you confidence. For me, the game was never over even though we seemed to struggle scoring,” said Matore.
Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya felt poor defensive work cost them at least a point.
His team has now suffered two consecutive defeats after losing 2-1 to defending champions FC Platinum in their opening game of the season.
“It was a tough one but this is the level that we are now competing at. Just like last week, we conceded from a set piece. I thought we defended poorly. I am disappointed about the way we failed to defend a set piece that we had time to organise for. We were supposed to be organised. We defended casually. Whoever went for that ball did it casually,” said Ndiraya.
Teams
Chicken Inn: Bernard Donovan (Zendera 87 mins), Arthur Chinda, Xolani Ndlovu, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Dominic Jaricha, Shepherd Mhlanga, Clive Dzingai, George Majika (Ketala 79 mins), Genius Mutungamiri (Hwata 53 mins), Brian Muza, Michael Charamba (English Brown 87 mins)
Simba Bhora
Simbarashe Chinani, Valentine Musarurwa (Chigulupate 70 mins), Tanatswa Manenji, Partson Jaure, Sasha Moyo, Tichaona Chipunza, Ronald Chitiyo (Chikosa 70 mins), Vassilli Kawe (Sadiki 79 minutes), Ismael Nyanhi (Maramwidzwe 79 mins), Onifade Temitope (Mangani 70 mins)
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