Gamecocks keep the pressure

21 Jul, 2019 - 00:07 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Ngqwele Dube in Bulawayo

Chicken Inn…………………………2

Bulawayo Chiefs………………….0

CHICKEN Inn maintained the pressure on Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log leaders FC Platinum when they subdued a fighting Bulawayo Chiefs in a lukewarm clash at Luveve yesterday. Two second-half goals from captain Moses Jackson and midfielder Innocent Mucheneka were enough to give the Gamecocks three points and ensure they keep pace with Platinum, who are two points ahead after beating Chapungu yesterday.

Despite dominating possession, Chicken Inn struggled to create any meaningful clear cut chances in the first half.

Chiefs gave them a scare two minutes from half-time as they came close to break the deadlock with a string of chances. However, it was not to be.

Following the introduction of Clemence Matawu in place of Malvin Gaki, the 2015 champions came back an invigorated side in the second half.

Matawu brought some creativity in the Chicken Inn attack and they were rewarded in the 57th minute when Jackson slotted into an empty net after Chiefs goalkeeper, Liberty Chirava, had failed to clear a cross from Mucheneka.

Chiefs Farau Matare could have levelled the scores in the 62nd minute after he managed to outpace Chicken Inn defenders in a counter attack but his strike saw the ball coming off goalkeeper, Donovan Bernard, thereby earning Amakhosi Amahle a corner.

Chicken Inn’s forays saw an industrious Obrey Chirinda delivering a pass that met Mucheneka at the far end. He made it two in the 75th minute.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was happy with the win that came after a loss to Hwange last week. “We are happy to bounce back after falling to Hwange last week. The win ensures that we keep up the pressure on FC Platinum. The plan is to grind results in our next games and try to hit a consistent cord.

“It was a tricky encounter as Chiefs kept running for the whole 90 minutes, they are a difficult team to play. We were slow in the first half and made a lot of stray passing. We were losing every second ball. Chiefs were much better in the last 10 to 15 minutes as they created meaningful chances. However, they failed to punish us.

“The second half was a different story when we introduced Matawu, who stabilised us and was our creative hub,” he said.

Chiefs head coach Farai Tawachera was of the view the match outcome shows the difference in the quality of players from the two sides.

“This game showed that quality will win it for you. It was the quality of the players that made the difference in this game.

“We played well but failed to bury the chances we created. They came up with two chances and converted them,” he said.

“We were hoping to maintain our winning run after getting maximum points last week. We need to be consistent and win two to three games but the fixture is a bit tight. Next week we face Highlanders in another derby.”

Teams:

Chicken Inn: D Bernard, M Jackson, X Ndlovu, L Chakoroma, S Ndlovu (Kadonzvo 75 mins), P Bernard, T Chipunza, I Mucheneka, O Chirinda, C Augusto, M Gaki ( Matawu 46 mins)

Bulawayo Chiefs: L Chirava, B Mpofu, P Sibanda, S Dube, M Mkolo, L Ndlela, A Musiyiwa, S Nyahwa (K Chakanyuka 86 mins), D Shumbanhete (Bhebhe 77 mins), F Darkapata ( Zvakavapano 67 mins) F Matawu

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