The Sunday Mail
Simba Chiminya
WhaWha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Chicken Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
LEADERS Chicken Inn staged another late and dramatic comeback, with super substitute Toto Banda once again emerging the hero as they salvaged a point against a battling Whawha at Ascot yesterday.
Whawha took the lead through Nelson Maziwisa in the 55th minute and led until the 90th minute.But deep into injury time, Banda rescued the Gamecocks with a simple tap in off a tantalizing cross by Edmore Chirambadare.
It was the second time inside a month that Banda has come to the rescue of his team.His 92nd minute winner earned Chicken Inn three points against How Mine on October 10, in a game they had trailed until Chirambadare’s 87th minute leveler.
Yesterday, Chicken Inn’s equalizer sparked wild protests from Whawha coach Lloyd Mutasa who stormed onto the pitch protesting against referee Norman Matemera.
An irate Mutasa, who was immediately red carded for his unbecoming behavior, argued that his keeper Philip Nhete was infringed before Banda bundled the ball home.Television replays, however proved that Nhete was not fouled and Mutasa’s assistant Luke Jukulile was also convinced when he had sight of the clip soon after the final whistle.
“After watching the replay, I am convinced there wasn’t any foul there. We have to take the point,” he said.
Joey Antipas’ Gamecocks are now on 54 points.
Defending champions Dynamos, who date Caps United in a Harare Derby at Rufaro this afternoon, are now seven points behind Chicken Inn.Antipas was relieved to have earned a point on a day his boys were always second to the ball.
“It is frustrating big time, we did everything to get maximum points but we lacked the cutting edge. The boys’ attitude was not good today (yesterday), they thought Whawha would be a walkover.
“Anyway, we have to take this point and see what happens nest,” he said.
Chicken Inn play Tsholotsho in their next encounter before they host Harare City in Week 29.
A trip to Lafarge against Flame Lily will then close the program for the Gamecocks.
Teams
WhaWha: P. Nhete, R. Horonga, P. Maburutse, M. Machazane (C. Kwaramba 78), B. Chikwekwe, S. Nhamo, L. Genti, K. Buka, B. Chidzero (N. Mvude 74), N. Maziwisa, A. Matewu (R. Useni 56)
Chicken Inn: E. Chipezeze, B. Mbiriri, L. Mhlanga, P. Bernard, B. Ncube (T. Banda 80), C. Matawu, M. Jackson, G. Majika (I. Lawe 65), D. Phiri, E. Chirambadare, M. Katsvairo (D. Temwanjira 75)
