CHICKEN INN... (0) 2
CAPS UNITED... (0) 1
CHICKEN Inn substitute Brett Amidu scored in optional time to power the hosts to the second spot after beating CAPS United in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Amidu replaced Tafadzwa Kutinyu six minutes before full time and was set up by another substitute Brian Ncube in a tension-filled second half.
Both sides had scored their first goals in the second half in a match that appeared to end in a draw when CAPS United defender Pawell Govere handled inside the penalty box and referee Tichaona Mbire pointed to the spot.
But Augusto’s effort was saved by Mateyaunga in the 73rd minute and the Chicken Inn striker skied his effort on the rebound.
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With the victory, Chicken Inn rode over Dynamos in the fight for the league's second spot with two games remaining to the end of the season.
The Gamecocks are now on 59 points against Dynamos' 56 as the Glamour Boys face Highlanders at the National Sports Stadium today.
CAPS United had drawn first blood in the 56th minute through Joseph Tulani who scored with a header from an Emmanuel Mandiranga cross.
Chicken Inn equalised in the 64th minute when defender Xolani Ndlovu scored a beauty to beat a bemused Mateyaunga.
Chicken Inn gaffer Joey Antipas was ecstatic after the match.
“I am happy that we won,” he said.
“We deserved the win after several missed chances in both halves.
“It’s good to win against a spirited CAPS United.
“What changed the game was the substitutes that came in although we missed that penalty.
“It's now two games to go and we must focus although they will be tricky.
“We hope our big brothers Highlanders can do us a favour tomorrow (against Dynamos).”
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said: “It gives a bad feeling if you lose it the way we did.”
“It was a series of mistakes that we could have avoided.
“Brett was given far too much space.
“You get punished if you make those mistakes.”
The first half was a dull affair with the hosts having a fair share of chances, but they could not get a goal with Michael Charamba’s effort saved by Mateyaunga in the 27th minute after the right winger was set up by Kutinyu inside the penalty box.
Five minutes before the break Malvin Gaki for Chicken Inn squandered another glorious opportunity after dribbling past a CAPS United defender, but his shot narrowly missed the right upright with his colleagues and fans up in celebration.
Going into the second half, The Green Machine had their moments in the first 10 minutes and got that goal, but Chicken Inn's introduction of Amidu, Ncube and Denzel Khumalo changed the complexion of the match.