Ricky Zililo in Bulawayo
Chicken Inn …………………… (1) 2
Harare City …………………………0
Veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu’s second half strike and an own goal by defender Munyaradzi Nyenye Diro secured Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn maximum points to end their four-match winless streak at Barbourfields yesterday.
Chicken Inn had last tasted victory on July 3 when they beat Highlanders 2-0. After that the champions drew against Ngezi Platinum and Harare City before losing to Chapungu and FC Platinum.
Lady lucky smiled on Chicken Inn yesterday as they shot into the lead courtesy of an own goal by Harare City defender Diro-Nyenye who beat his goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu while attempting to clear a Matawu cross from the right in the 11th minute.
The goal seemed to inspire the visitors as they took control of the game but failed to breach the Chicken Inn defence.
Harare City twice came close to equalising, first in the 20th minute when striker Francesco Zekumbawire was brought down on the edge of the box and Tafadzwa Chimwemwe’s set-piece missed the target by inches.
Defensive midfielder James Jam’s 30th minute long-range attempt went just over the bar.
After the hour mark, Chicken Inn’s mid-season signing Ozias Zibande hit the side netting after beating his marker.
Harare City kept probing but they were let down by poor decision-making inside the box.
In the 63rd minute, the visitors should have equalised when winger William Manondo sent in a good delivery into the box which eluded Chicken Inn defenders and goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, but found no takers.
Chicken Inn then pulled out Zibande for defender Ben Nyahunzwi in the 70th minute in a move aimed at protecting their lead. They sealed victory 10 minutes from time through Matawu.
Chicken Inn won a free-kick on the left side and left-back Divine Lunga sent in a cross that midfielder Pride Tafirenyika cut back to Matawu, who turned and shot past Nyamupangedengu.
“I think the scoreline is not a true reflection of the game because it was a tight game. Luck was on our side and we managed to get two goals,” said Rahman Gumbo, the Chicken Inn coach.
Harare City coach Moses Chunga said: “We need to work on our finishing because we are not doing enough in the final third. After today’s performance, I think we should go home with our heads held high and I’m sure in the next game we’re going to get a positive result.”
Teams
Chicken Inn: Elvis Chipezeze, Passmore Bernard, Divine Lunga, Moses Jackson, Teenage Hadebe, Brian Juru, Chris Samakweri, Pride tafirenyika, Clemence Matawu (Moses Demera, 83rd minute), Ozias Zibande (Ben Nyahunzvi, 70th minute), Obidiah Tarumbwa (George Majika, 61st minute)
Harare City: Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, Dexter Mawere, Tafadzwa Chimwemwe, Munyaradzi Diro-Nyenye, Arnold Chiveya, Ronald Chitiyo, Learnmore Muyambo, Kudakwashe Kumwala (William Manondo, 60th minute), Martin Vengesai, James Jam, Francesco Zekumbawire. The Chronicle
