In form Binzi sinks Gamecocks

14 May, 2023 - 00:05 0 Views
In form Binzi sinks Gamecocks

The Sunday News

Manica Diamonds  . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . .  . . . (0) 2
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (0) 0

Fungai Muderere in Triangle

IN FORM Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leading top goal scorer Fortune Binzi grabbed a brace for Manica Diamonds when they beat visiting Chicken Inn in a match that was played at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle  yesterday.

Binzi is now on eight goals and was on Friday named Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (Fuz) April Player of the Month.

The free scoring forward was on target for Manica Diamonds deep into second half to hand Gamecocks their first defeat of the season in nine outings.

When everyone thought the match was set for a draw, Binzi nodded home a Brian Chikwenya fine delivery from the left in the 87th minute.

The former killed the match as a contest right on the stroke of fulltime after capitalising from Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard’s miscued clearance.

In that regard, with the goal yawning at his mercy, Binzi had one of the easiest tasks when he coolly placed the ball home to help his side grab maximum points.

Manica Diamonds are now tied on 15 points with Highlanders and CAPS United who today face Simba Bhora and Hwange respectively.

Following their win against the Gamecocks Manica Diamonds head coach Jairos Tapera said he was happy his charges managed to grab a last-minute win.

“It was a scary game. Chicken Inn came at us and they could have scored as many goals but we remained resolute.

In the second half we attacked them so well and our substitute Chikwenya did exactly what we told him. Grabbing a win against Chicken Inn is not easy but I’m happy for the boys for another good fight,” said Tapera.

Prince Matore

His opposite number Prince Matore reckoned it was a wake-up call for them.

“It’s our first defeat of the season and I must say it’s a big wake-up call for us. We lost just because of poor defending.

Had we concentrated well we couldn’t have conceded those two late goals,” said Matore.
Matore was forced to make a last-minute change to his starting 11 after centre back Dominic Jaricha received news of the passing on of his father yesterday morning in Bulawayo. As a result, Itai Mabunu was handed a starting place with Jaricha being relegated to the bench.

Jaricha later came in for right back Dumoluhle Lunga who had been handed his debut starting place.

The Gamecocks survived an early scare in the third minute when veteran Pasca Manhanga beautifully set up Talent Chamboko whose effort from inside the 12-yard box was saved by Bernard in a one-on-one situation.

Ten minutes into play towering Gamecocks forward could have made it count for his paymasters but he was caught by his indecision after being sent through by club captain Xolani “Lolo” Ndlovu.

This was after Gamecocks had a good exchange of numerous passes in the Manica Diamonds half.

In the 20th minute, the marauding Binzi had his attempt saved by Bernard after Manhanga had again turned provider.

In the second stanza, the hosts took the game to Chicken Inn and it was the introduction of Chikwenya for Manhanga that paid dividends for the Diamond miners.

However, Chicken Inn felt hard done when what seemed to be a genuine appeal for a penalty in the 81st minute was turned down by the referee.

The Chicken Inn family felt Michael Charamba had been hacked down inside the box by Manica player Trevor Mavhunga.

In their Week 10 encounter, Manica Diamonds will face Dynamos and Chicken Inn will square it off against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Luveve Stadium.— @FungaiMuderere

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