The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda in BULAWAYO
Chicken Inn……………………………………… (1) 3
Manica Diamonds……………………………..(0) 3
TWO things were very clear from the six-goal thriller that was played before an appreciative crowd at Luveve Stadium yesterday: Manica Diamonds are not pretenders and Chicken Inn’s resilience and title credentials should not be doubted. A 10-man Manica Diamonds twice came from behind and thought they had posted a vital win when the marauding Nyasha Chintuli scored a two-minute brace late in the match, but Chicken Inn still found a last-minute answer.
In the end, this exciting contest had to be settled by a share of spoils and both coaches, Joey Antipas and Johanisi Nhumwa, should be happy with the point.
Yet the game started at a slow pace with no goalmouth action in the first 15 minutes.
Chicken Inn upped the tempo and came close in the 28th minute when Brett Amidu failed to tap home Malvin Hwata’s cut-back.
The vastly improved Amidu handed Chicken Inn the breakthrough they were craving when he fired into the top corner seven minutes from half-time.
It was his third goal in two successive matches and set the tone for what turned to be a thriller that should arguably be one of the best matches of the season so far.
Two minutes after restart, Hwata’s shot was blocked by Temba Ndlovu, but it was Manica Diamonds who got off the blocks quicker, winning two dangerous set-pieces in the opening minute.
Brian Chikwenya’s dangerous corner kick nearly deceived Donovan Bernard in the opening minute of the second half.
The visitors found the equaliser thorough Talent Chamboko, who volleyed home in a goalmouth melee after 52 minutes.
Manica Diamonds’ relentless pressure paid off as they were the better side in the early exchanges of the second half.
Antipas reacted by making a double substitution in the 58th minute, bringing on Brighton Ncube and George Majika for Michael Charamba and Hwata.
Brian Muza then hit the side netting from a cross by veteran right-back Passmore Bernard.
Majika’s long-range strike flew over in the 68th minute before Chintuli tested Bernard with a half volley against the run of play.
Bernard then thought he had scored Chicken Inn’s winner in the 76th minute when he side-footed the ball into the roof of the net after a neat one-two with Majika.
But it was not over as Chintuli found the equaliser with a stinging shot from a tight angle four minutes later.
He was back again two minutes later, rifling home from inside the box to complete a quick-fire brace. Chintuli showed composure as he roasted a defender before finding the roof of the net, sparking wild celebrations amongst Manica Diamonds players.
The former Ngezi Platinum Stars forward and Xolani Moyo took off their shirts in ecstasy, with the latter, who was sitting on a yellow, seeing red for the offence.
Manica Diamonds goalkeeper’s coach Peter Masibhera was also sent to the terraces for constantly remonstrating with the referee.
Just when Manica Diamonds were preparing to toast for a famous victory, 42-year-old centre-back Moses Jackson rescued Chicken Inn in the 89th minute when he headed home off a corner.
Antipas, whose side stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches, aptly described the match as a “thriller”.
The Gamecocks maintained top spot with 23 points, while Manica Diamonds are now four points behind.
“A thriller, a very good game, both teams put their hearts into it and gave their all.
“It was a good game for the fans to watch,” said Antipas.
The respected gaffer, however, thought his men paid for a lapse in concentration.
“We went to sleep after we went 2-1 up. The two goals we conceded should never been conceded.
“At 2-1 we were in control but we were punished for a lapse in concentration.”
Manica Diamonds coach Nhumwa praised his charges for putting up a spirited performance.
“It was a good game but we couldn’t hold out for a win,” he said.
Newly appointed Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Benjani Mwaruwari watched the match in the company of his assistant Bongani Mafu.
Ngezi play Bulawayo Chiefs at the same venue this afternoon.
TEAMS:
Chicken Inn: D. Bernard, M. Jackson, P. Bernard, I. Mabhunu (M. Pini 88th), R. Hachiro, M. Charamba (G. Majika 58th) B. Amidu, S. Mhlanga (D. Khumalo 88th), M. Hwata (B. Ncube 58th) B. Muza, X. Ndlovu
Manica Diamonds: A. Reyners, B. Chikwenya, T. Ndlovu, L. Chakoroma (P. Manhanga 48th), X. Moyo, T. Chamboko (L. Vundla 73rd), E. Mafirenyika, T. Mamvura, N. Chintuli, L. Katongomara (F. Mugumwa 55th), C. Munzabwa.
