The Sunday Mail
Mehluli Sibanda – Senior Sports Reporter
Chicken Inn. . . . . .. . . . . . (1) 2
Chapungu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
LOG leaders Chicken Inn maintained their good run in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at Luveve yesterday.
The Gamecocks secured three points through brilliantly executed strikes in either half from Michelle Katsvairo and Bhekimpilo Ncube.
With the win, Chicken Inn moved to 37 points, two ahead of second placed Triangle.
However, it was Chapungu who showed early attacking intent, Rodwell Mhlanga’s speculative shot going just over with four minutes on the clock.
Ncube had an opportunity to put Chicken Inn ahead in the 26th minute but his header from inside the box went wide.
The opening goal came 11 minutes prior to the break. Skipper Danny Phiri’s superbly-taken free kick from outside the box spilled by Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi to allow Katsvairo to hit the target.
Edmore Chirambadare, the league’s leading top scorer, could have made it two goals for Chicken Inn three minutes before the break when he dribbled his way past the opposition defence but Mazingi was at his best.
The second half, just like the first, did not produce any fireworks but Chicken Inn doubled their advantage with an hour played.
Chirambadare sent Ncube through on the left and the midfielder showed great composure in beating Roy Mazingi.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino blamed lack of concentration.
“We lost to a better side, loss of concentration cost us a lot, we still have to improve and finish in a top eight position,’’ said Nyikadzino.
Chicken Inn mentor Joey Antipas has called for focus among his charges.
“We played a good solid game, never gave them any chance. We need to take it one game at a time,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, prodigal son Tawanda Muyendi scored a brace as Triangle beat Tsholotsho 2-0 at White City to keep up pressure on log leaders Chicken Inn.
Teams
Chicken Inn: Elvis Chipezeze, Brian Mbiriri, Guide Goddard, Lawrence Mhlanga, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Canaan Nkomo (G Majika 88 minutes), Moses Jackson, Thabani Goredema, Danny Phiri, Edmore Chirambadare (D Temwanjira 88 minutes), Michelle Katsvairo
Chapungu: Roy Mazingi, Charles Mativenga, Hillary Mugoniwa, Collen Kwaramba, Blessed Mbavarira, Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Gift Phiri, Philip Marufu, Rodwell Mhlanga ( P Khumbula 64 minutes), Abton Chekai(M Mavuto 46 minutes), Tineyi Chitora ( A Tavarwisa 74 minutes)
