The Sunday Mail
Mehluli Sibanda
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
HIGH flying Chicken Inn increased pressure on a seemingly out of sorts Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu when they outwitted their city rivals in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at Barbourfields yesterday.
Goals in either half by Canaan Nkomo and Edmore Chirambadare , sandwiched by a Simon Munawa face-saver, condemned Mafu to a fourth defeat of the season and his third at Barbourfields.
Mafu, who vowed to stay put during a press conference last week, might now be forced to rethink his standing at the oldest football institution in the country as the results continue to elude him.
Speculation is rife that the coach was given a target of 18 points after 10 matches, something he has failed to achieve as he finds himself on 14 points with four wins, two draws and four defeats.
Mafu was once again a subject of the now characteristic unpleasant songs composed by fans at the infamous Soweto stand at the end of the match.
The victory saw Chicken Inn shoot to the top of the table with 23 points, three ahead of Triangle who are away to FC Platinum in Zvishavane this afternoon.
Chicken Inn, coming from two draws in succession were the quicker off the blocks, taking full advantage of some sloppy defending by Highlanders.
Former Gamecocks skipper, now Bosso leader Felix Chindungwe lost possession on the right side of the Highlanders defence to Chirambadare in the sixth minute and the former Tsholotsho FC hitman delivered a cross for Nkomo who made no mistake.
There was nothing that Takunda Mutanga, chosen ahead of Ariel Sibanda, could do about Nkomo’s bullet.
Highlanders forward Thomas Chideu was slow to react when put through which allowed Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze to beat him to the ball.
As Bosso kept pushing for a goal Mthulisi Maphosa, back in the first team after a lengthy spell on the sidelines because of a knee injury, headed wide off target from an Obadiah Tarumbwa free kick in the 19th minute.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was thrilled with his side’s win which he credited to a dominant midfield that was well marshalled by Thabani Goredema.
