VIDEO: Chicken Inn keep momentum

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0

FORMER champions, Chicken Inn continued with their fine run in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League as they edged Hwange at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

Skipper Moses Jackson once again rose to the occasion to give the Gamecocks the solitary goal that ensured they maintain their position on top of the log. It was the Rahman Gumbo Chicken Inn’s sixth victory in eight matches highlighting the Innscor-sponsored side’s title credentials.

Jackson struck in the 36th minute with a header off an Obadiah Tarumbwa corner kick to earn Chicken Inn maximum points for the second game in a row after he scored in similar fashion against Black Rhinos.

Fellow defender Ben Nyahunzwi could have made it two in two minutes from the break when he struck from outside the box and beat Hwange goalkeeper, Taimon Mvula but Shepherd Gadzikwa blocked the ball on the goal line.

Hwange came back from the break with more determination but Justine Kaunda missed two glorious chances in the 55th and 77th minute, on both occasion being denied by Chicken Inn shot stopper, Elvis Chipezeze.

Chicken Inn created numerous chances of their own but Mvula was at his best to deny Tarumbwa and Innocent Mucheneka’s attempts at his goal.

Gamecocks goalkeepers coach, Julius Ndlovu attributed their fine run to the defence which has managed to shut out marauding opponents. Chicken Inn vice-captain, Mucheneka, who has had a marvellous season, said they are now focused on maintaining the top spot.

“We are focused on maintaining our position now that we are on top. We know what we want to achieve and we have to be consistent and keep on winning like we have been grinding the results even the difficult games we have been coming out with 1-0 wins,” he said.

Hwange head coach, Bigboy Mawiwi blamed the failure to clear the corner kick that led to the goal but felt on the whole they played well.

“We lost it in the first half but played well in the second half and I was happy with the performance. We were unlucky not to go away with a point but we will regroup and focus on the next assignment,” he said.

Teams

Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, P Bernard, D Lunga, M Jackson, B Nyahunzwi, C Matawu (Juru 82 mins), O Tarumbwa (Lawe 88 mins), C Samakweri, D Nyandoro (Kadyaridzire 60 mins), I Mucheneka, T Goredema

Hwange: T Mvula, C Dickson, G Ndlovu, O Moyo, A Chuma, C Muleya (Meleka, 72 mins), S Gadzikwa, N Ziwini, J Kaunda, C Muvuti, N Chinyerere (Mate 68 mins)