The Sunday Mail
Mehluli Sibanda in Bulawayo
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . (0) 0
Hwange. . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
LOG leaders Chicken Inn had their title aspirations dented by a determined Hwange who snatched three points in a lively Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played at Luveve yesterday.
A goal by Collen Muleya just before half time made sure that Chipangano took all the six points over the Gamecocks after a win by a similar margin in Hwange in the reverse fixture.
It was the first defeat for Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium this season and only their fourth loss of their league campaign.
Chicken Inn remained rooted on 40 points but the chasing pack of Triangle and Dynamos, both on 35 points, have a chance to close the gap should they win in their respective fixtures at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
DeMbare will play Tsholotsho FC while the Sugar Boys have a date with How Mine.
Chicken Inn forward Edmore Chirambadare had an opportunity to put the Gamecocks ahead after 11 minutes but his effort crashed against the cross bar.
A minute later, Gamecocks skipper Danny Phiri saw his header go over the post after connecting well a cross from Clemence Matawu.
With 28 minutes gone, it was Michelle Katsvairo’s turn to miss from a cross delivered into the box by left back Brian Mbiriri.
Bhekimpilo Ncube saw his powerful shot go wide eight minutes before the break.
Three minute after that, Chirambadare blasted his effort wide off target after being sent through by Katsvairo.
In a half during which they did not create much chances, Hwange found the only goal of the match three minutes before halftime.
Hwange coach Nation Dube was delighted with the win which saw his side move to 25 points, the same as Highlanders and Chapungu.
“We are happy with the three points, we are not happy with where we are on the log. We are fighting relegation because we started the season badly,’’ said Dube.
A disappointed Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas blamed the defeat on a taxing week that saw them make the long journey to Mutare where they played Buffaloes last Wednesday.
“I thought we created the chances but came short, we just have to keep our heads up. We had a taxing programme with the journey to Mutare. I am not coming up with excuses though, that is part and parcel of the game,’’ said Antipas.
Chicken Inn have some tricky fixtures coming up against Highlanders, ZPC Kariba, Triangle and Dynamos.
Teams
Chicken Inn: Elvis Chipezeze, Moses Jackson, Brian Mbiriri, Lawrence Mhlanga, Guide Goddard, Danny Phiri, Clemence Matawu, Thabani Goredema( Majika 62 minutes), Edmore Chirambadare(Lawe 90 minutes), Bhekimpilo Ncube(Temwanjira 82 minutes), Michelle Katsvairo
Hwange: Takabva Mawaya, Andrew Chuma, Munyaradzi Mungadze, David Boriwondo, Gerald Ndlovu, Collen Muleya, Farai Vimisayi(Sianchali 84 minutes), Pritchard Mpelele, Innocent Mucheka(Zulu 64 minutes), Rodwell Chinyengetere, Aleck Marime
