CHICKEN INN head coach Joey Antipas who had been under pressure for a win, heaved a sigh of relief when his side narrowly edged Chapungu 2-1 in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Chicken Inn . . . . (2) 2 Chapungu . . . . . . (0) 1
The GameCocks who are coming from two successive defeats, finally remembered how to win through goals from Bhekimpilo “Bhakha” Ncube in the fourth minute and Thabani Goredema three minutes before the break.
Chapungu pulled one back through Carlisto Maheya in the 64th minute.
The win took Chicken Inn to eight position with 13 points while Chapungu dropped two places down to 10th.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino attributed the loss to the referee Nkosana Nduna’s officiating.
Nyikadzino said Nduna had denied them what the gaffer had thought to be a goal in the 81st minute which, however, had seen Ngonidzashe Murisa’s effort going out for a goal kick.
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“We conceded an early goal and we were sluggish in the first half. We let Chicken Inn take control of the match in the first half only to come back in the second half.
“I do not usually comment on the referee’s officiating, but today we were let down. I am disappointed by the officiating. We usually talk about big teams like Dynamos getting assistance from referees, but everyone saw what happened. The referee pointed to the centre, but his assistant (Tione Kacheche) raised his flag for a goal-kick. There were a number of tackles that were not charged for. If we continue like this, the our football will not progress,” the Gweru-based gaffer said.
Chicken Inn coach Antipas said he was happy with the win.
“It was a game of two halves. We were the better side in the first half, but they came back stronger in the second half. We conceded a soft goal, but we have to take heart as we are coming from two defeats. We were under pressure in the last 20 minutes, but we managed to defend the narrow lead,” he said.
Chicken Inn led from as early as the fourth minute when Ncube’s powerful header off a John Bernard free-kick found the back of the net.
In the 20th minute Chicken Inn, who were dominating in the exchanges saw Tenadi Mukambi’s header tipped over the bar.
Chapungu were awarded a free-kick outside the Chicken Inn box, but Blessed Mbavarira wasted the chance.
In the 42nd minute Chicken Inn made it two when Goredema was released by Mukambi in the middle of the park. He raced towards goal and beat his marker and the goalkeeper who had come off his mark to defend, coolly slotting the ball into the empty net.
The second half saw Chapungu dominating and in the 64th minute they were rewarded when Maheya took advantage of goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze spilling the ball onto his path.
In the 66th minute, Goredema’s thunderous shot was blocked by goalkeeper Roy Mazingi.
Had Murisa been more accurate, Chapungu could have levelled the scores in the 81st minute.
Marisa’s effort on the left flank saw the ball hit the post on the outside and trickle to land behind the net. As Chapungu supporters and the bench celebrated, the referee and his assistant signalled for a goal-kick.
Teams Chicken Inn E Chipezeze, M Jackson, B Mbiriri, J Bernard, L Mhlanga, B Juru, T Goredema, C Matawu (G Majika 60th minute), B Ncube, M Dube (C Kamhapa 80th minute), T Mukambi (T Chimenya 68th minute)
Chapungu S Mazingi, C Mativenga, H Mugoniwa, C Kwaramba, B Mbavaira, N Murisa (T Gonyora 46th minute), M Mavhuto (C Murisa 58th minute), T Mwale, F Manase, C Maheya, G Phiri.
