Chicken Inn (1) 2
Highlanders 0
CHAMPIONS Chicken Inn ended log leaders Highlanders’ nine match unbeaten run with a quality 2-0 win in this Castle Larger Premier Soccer League match played at Babourfields stadium in Bulawayo on (today) Sunday.
The champions who implored a 3-5-2 formation and missed the services of defender Lawrence Mhlanga (suspended), Devine Lunga (injured), Danny Phiri, Mitchell Katsvairo and Edmore Chirambadare (all making moves to South African clubs) were the better team and proved solid in midfield.
It came as no surprise in the 28th minute when captain and man of the match Clemence Matawu broke through the middle and exchanged passes with Obadiah Tarumbwa outside the box, Tarumbwa fooled Bosso right back Benson Phiri and got into the box before slotting it into the nets to beat a stretched Njabulo Nyoni in goal for Highlanders.
There was no much change in the second half as the log leaders created little, while Chicken Inn were comfortable with keeping possession as Matawu, Thabani Goredema and the pair of new signing Darrly Nyandoro and Chris Samakwere combined well in midfield.
With Highlanders searching for a late equaliser and putting every man upfront they were caught on the counter as Matatwu once more broke through the middle headed it over an advancing Nyoni before slotting the ball into an empty net just a minute before the full time whistle.
Highlanders last beat Chicken Inn in a league match in 2011, when they were promoted. In 11 meetings, Chicken inn has won five times , Bosso Once while the other five matches ended in draws.
Coaches Reactions
Rahaman Gumbo- Chicken Inn- “We played well, we knew the best way to beat Highlanders was to silence the 12th man and we managed to do that by keeping possession for most periods of the match, we are however not thinking of the title at this stage but we just want to build as we have lost key players to South Africa”.
Elroy Akbay- Highlanders- “ We did not play football today, at times it will be a few players off form but today most of our players were out except for Prince who tried hard and at times our defence, we just need to move forward and forget about this defeat”.
In other matches on Sunday FC Platinum won 2-1 away to Mutare City with goals from Elvis Moyo and Rodwell Chinyengetere, while Steven Sibanda was on target for the manicaland side.
Border strikers recorded only their second win of the season in 12 matches with a 1-0 victory over Harare City.
Lameck Nhamo was on target as Triangle edged Tsholotsho 1-0 at home, Caps United allowed a late Pervington Zimunya equaliser as Hwange forced a 1-1 draw at Rufaro stadium. United had taken the lead through Justice Jangano.
Week 12 Results
Bulawayo City 0-1 Dynamos; How Mine 1-2 Ngezi Platinum; ZPC Kariba 0-0 Chapungu;Chicken Inn 2-0 Highlanders; Caps United 1-1 Hwange; Triangle 1-0 Tsholotsho; Mutare City Rovers 1-2 FC Platinum and Border Strikers 1-0 Harare City. – Muziwethu Hadebe
