The Sunday Mail
Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Chicken Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (0) 2
Flame Lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . (0) 1
CHICKEN INN enjoyed their finest hour when they were crowned champions of local football at Lafarge yesterday. The Gamecocks won their first ever Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title when they dispatched Harare City last weekend.
However, the league decided to honour them at the end of the season and they received the honours in style when they beat Division One bound Flame Lily. Veteran midfielder Clement Matawu and defender Lawrence Mhlanga scored in the 59th and 71st minute respectively before left back Divine Lunga turned it into his own net on the 90th minute. Championship winning coach Joey Antipas said the crown was a result of hard work.
FINEST HOUR…2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn were crowned at Lafarge yesterady – Picture by Lee Maidza
“It feels great to be champions,” said Antipas. “We worked very hard for it and put in a lot of effort, so hardwork has paid off. “I am very happy for the team, for the club and also being Bulawayo based, happy for the Bulawayo people. “My wish would be to win the championship every year but it’s impossible so we just have to celebrate now.”This is Antipas’ second league title medal after a debut one with Motor Action in 2010.
Captain Danny Phiri who was an unused substitute, probably to avoid a caution that would have seen him disqualified from the Soccer Star of the year selection, admitted there were instances when the Gamecocks questioned their ability to last the distance.
“We are very happy we got what we wanted. From week six we led the race and it would have been painful if we had failed to win,” said Phiri.
“There are matches where we fought hard and came late from behind and won, like the one against How Mine and Chapungu…that made us believe this could be our year. “However, failing to win three matches in a row (On match days 26, 27 and 28) gave us pressure and we thought we were going to lose it but at the end we managed to correct that when we beat Harare City,” said Phiri.
The sad reality that they will not participate in next year’s CAF Champions League due to lack of financial resources would not dampen spirits in the Gamecocks camp as they enjoyed their finest hour.
Teams
Flame Lily: L Majarira, G Phiri, S Jimu, B Chandisaita, B Chayambuka, T Huwa, P Chidawaya, F Madhanaga (W Muronda 67th), V Mukudo M Demera 82nd), M Muponda, J Chivasa
Chicken Inn: P Zendera, B Ncube (T Banda 65th), L Mhlanga, P Bernard, T Goredema (C Nkomo 85th), C Matawu, B Nyahunzvi, G Majika, B Juru, D Lunga, M Katsvairo (I Lawe 73rd)
