The Sunday News
Chicken Inn……….……..(1) 3
Manica Diamonds……….(0) 3
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
IF there were any lingering doubts about the pedigree and class of Chicken Inn, these were put to rest yesterday when they produced a master class performance to turn what appeared a lost cause into a three all draw against an equally determined 10-man Manica Diamonds in an exciting match played at Luveve Stadium.
The draw saw Gamecocks maintain pole position with 23 points from 10 games, two ahead of second-placed Dynamos who are set to take on Black Rhinos in the capital this afternoon.
Manica Diamonds and Triangle are also now tied on 19 points with DeMbare.
The Sugar Cane Boys will do battle against a seemingly resurgent Highlanders at Gibbo Stadium in another fixture scheduled for today.
After going one-nil up in the first stanza courtesy of a Brett Amidu 38-minute glorious strike that came from a Xolisani “Lolo” Ndlovu feed from the left, Manica Diamonds came out of their shell in the second half to ask a number of meaningful questions from the Moses Jackson Chicken Inn marshalled defence.
It was the introduction of pint-sized Pasca Manhanga in the 48th minute by the visitors for Lloyd Katongomara that breathed life into their play and it was not long that the former, who is ex-Highlanders, How Mine and Triangle midfielder, turned provider when Talent Chamboko levelled matters in the 55th minute.
Thereafter, Manica Diamonds began to dictate the pace of the game, but the Jackson and Itai Mabunu marshalled Gamecocks rear-guard could not budge.
Against the run of play, the hosts were temporarily thrust back into the lead courtesy of a goal that came from the boot of veteran defender Passmore Bernard who was set up by roving ex-Warriors left back Ndlovu.
It was a goal that fans temporarily thought was scored by Chicken Inn’s man of the moment Brian Muza as he seemingly had a last touch on the ball, but the afternoon referee Allan Basvi gave it to Bernard.
In the 80th minute, hard running former Ngezi Platinum Stars forward Nyasha Chintuli made it two all after capitalising on Mabunu indecisive moment inside the 18-yard box.
A minute later, the Gamecocks defence was caught in sixes and sevens only for Chintuli to give his side the lead and take his Premier Soccer League goal tally to nine.
That led to some wild celebrations in the Manica camp that saw the goal scorer and his teammate Xolisani “Scara’ Moyo remove their tops.
Consequently, Chintuli was cautioned, while Moyo was sent for an early shower as it was his second bookable offence in the pulsating match that kept Bulawayo football lovers and those that had travelled from Mutare on the edges of their seats.
Right on the stroke of full-time Chicken Inn skipper Jackson rose airborne to nod home a George Majika curling corner kick to help the league pacesetters salvage at least a point and survive from the jaws of a home defeat.
“It was a thriller. It was a very good game from both teams.
It was unfortunate that we went to sleep when we went 2-1 up.
The visitors did well to shut out Muza through their centre backs.
We need to work on how we need to handle pressure.
There was a lapse in concentration from us but what a game it was.
It was good for the fans,” said Gamecocks head coach Joey Antipas.
Manica Diamonds gaffer Johanisi Nhumwa said: “It was a very good game for us.
If we manage to play against a team that is on top of the log like this, it shows that we are strong and we are playing very well.
It was good to lead by three goals but whatever happens thereafter is part of football.”
