Chicken Inn ………….(1) 2 FC Platinum……………… 0
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
CHICKEN INN dribbling wizard Kudakwashe Mahachi arrived yesterday morning from a week-long Mamelodi Sundowns trial stint to inspire his side to an impressive win over battling FC Platinum in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at Luveve Stadium, Bulawayo.
Mahachi was at the heart of the first goal, a penalty scored by leading PSL scorer Tendai Ndoro in the 21st minute after the speedy left-footed winger set up Mkhokheli Dube, hacked down by Platinum skipper Daniel Veremu inside the box.
Mahachi then blasted the ball past Platinum goalkeeper Francis Tizayi in the 62nd minute from a heeler by Dube to get the second goal that dented the Zvishavane-based outfit’s title hopes since coming into the league, although they remained rooted on position four with 45 points, four away from leaders Dynamos who drew 2-2 with Triangle at Gibbo.
It was a warm homecoming for Chicken Inn new coach Joey Antipas, winning on his first assignment with the fast-foods outlet team to make it four points in two games after he drew 1-1 with Monomotapa in Harare last week in his first game.
Antipas was an elated man after the sweet victory which put the GameCox on position six with 40 points.
“We had a very good game as we dismantled FC Platinum in midfield. It was a first-class display, a very big improvement from last week’s game. I believe we have a good squad which can go places, but we just have to stay focused. The big picture for me is about next season,” Antipas said.
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His counterpart Lloyd Mutasa was visibly dejected after his side put up a strong fight in the second half, but failed to come up with a goal.
“We never came to the party. The boys did not express themselves and today (yesterday) was not our day. We just have to regroup and make sure we win our last three matches so we end the season in a better position,” Mutasa said.
Chicken Inn had the upper-hand in the first half with Dube, Mahachi and Ndoro troubling the FC Platinum defence and with a strong on midfield — Thabani Goredema and Danny “Deco” Phiri in fine form.
Platinum came back from the breather recharged with Thabani Kamusoko, Donald Ngoma and Charles Sibanda having a good game in the centre, but were disappointed by their substitutes Obrey Chirwa and Nelson Maziwisa, who replaced Mitchelle Katsvairo and Tatenda Mudehwe just after the breather.
