The Sunday Mail
Nichrut …………………. 0
Chicken Inn……………….. 0
CHICKEN INN coach Joey Antipas blasted referee Thabani Bamala for “biased officiating” after his side played out a goalless draw against Premiership debutants Nichrut at Ascot yesterday. A furious Antipas implored the Referees Committee to reprimand below par referees whom he said were spoiling the game.
“We dominated the game for large periods but due to unforeseen circumstances we were just blocked. Whenever we had the ball or whenever we were going for a 50-50 tussle the decision went against us. That’s not football, this is the beginning of the season, let’s be fair,” thundered Antipas.
“The Referees Association should speak to their referees because they are spoiling it, please don’t spoil football.”
The draw left Chicken Inn on four points but Antipas, who guided Chicken Inn to their maiden championship in 2015, is refusing to have the championship contenders’ tag slapped on his team.
“Whoever touted us (for the title) should carry on whilst we concentrate on our game. We have just played two games, combinations are coming up but talking about the championship now is premature,” he said.
Nichrut coach John Nyikadzino, whose side has now picked up four out of six points, acknowledged that it was difficult playing against Antipas’ well drilled Gamecocks.
“Playing against Chicken Inn and managing a draw is no mean feat and I am happy with the result. We played better in the first half but in the second half Chicken Inn were throwing everything at us.” said Nyikadzino.
