Fungai Muderere in Bulawayo
Chicken Inn …………………….. (1) 1
Bulawayo Chiefs ………………. (0) 1
Chicken Inn might have cemented their qualification for the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals following their draw with Bulawayo Chiefs in a Group Two match at Barbourfields Stadium but their gaffer Joey Antipas wants them to play with greater conviction.
Yesterday’s draw took Chicken Inn’s points tally to 12 and it also saw Chiefs finish their run in the tourney without a win.
Brian Muza scored for Gamecocks in the 17th minute after he was brilliantly set up by captain Moses Jackson inside the 12-yard box.
Amakhosi Amahle got their equaliser nine minutes into the second stanza through a Malvin Mkolo header.
“I am disappointed about the goal that we conceded after defending so well, but overall, I think we did well.
“Now our boys need to have that self-confidence to play because at times they get jittery on the ball, especially at the back, when they are put under pressure.
“They need to be composed and try to build our play from the back. Chiefs came up in the second half and controlled the game.
“Each player needs to improve his performance because our next opponents are red-hot.
“We will face FC Platinum or Ngezi Platinum Stars and everyone in our team needs to rise to the occasion,” said Antipas.
His opposite number Nilton Terroso, a Portuguese coach who was unveiled by Chiefs late last week, was satisfied with his team’s performance despite the result.
“We don’t progress into the next stage; Chicken Inn are a very good team.
“We started the game well in terms of movement and maintaining our shape.
“We were able to press our opponents but it was unfortunate that we conceded a goal early into the first half against our well-experienced opponents.
“I am very much impressed by the attitude that my players have given me,” said Terroso.
Chicken Inn top Group Two log standings with 12 points, three ahead of Highlanders, who are in action this afternoon against Philani “Beefy” Ncube’s Bulawayo City at the same venue.
Bosso, who are Chibuku Super Cup holders, have also already qualified for the quarter-final stage and will need to beat City by more than four goals to topple Antipas’s charges from the top of the table.
Bosso head coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu said they are aiming for a positive result against City.
“Yes, we have already qualified for the next stage but Highlanders is a big club that prioritises getting good results. We will not relax.
“It’s not a dead rubber match. It’s a crucial match that we should approach with a good mindset,” he said.