CHICKEN INN . . . . . . . . (2)0
NGEZI PLATINUM . . . . . (0)0
NGEZI Platinum's 19-match unbeaten run came to an end at Luveve Stadium as two first half goals were enough to hand Chicken Inn the much needed maximum points yesterday afternoon in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League week 10 match.
Chicken Inn lined up in an unfamiliar 3-5-3 formation with Itai Mabunu, Mpumelelo Bhebhe and Vincent Moyo playing at the back while Michael Charamba and George Majika operated as wingbacks.
The system paid dividends as Ngezi strikers Takunda Benhura and Tinotenda Musariranwa were kept under lock and key before they were withdrawn in the second half.
But it was the log leaders that started off brightly but they fizzled out within a quarter of the hour.
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Takundwa Murasiranwa broke free on the right side but he shot agonisingly wide in the seventh minute. The Platinum miners enjoyed plenty of ball possession, but they failed to get shots on target in the brief spell of dominance.
Against the run of play, Chicken Inn were duly rewarded in the 40th minute.
Majika, who provided two assists on the day, curled in a corner kick and Muza's glancing header beat the reigning goalkeeper of the year Nelson Chadya all systems out.
With Ngezi Platinum still shaken and trying to regroup, right back Gareth Madhake lost possession to Majika on the near side.
The winger intelligently laid a sitter for Hwata, who made no mistake from close range in the 43rd minute.
Chicken Inn managed the game well in the second half to secure the maximum points.
Takesure Chiragwi made five changes at regular intervals after the break, but still they failed to get the all-important goals.
Matore was thrilled by the result, as he emphasised the importance of collecting maximum points at home.
"It's good for the team, it's good for our confidence because I have always said at home; this is where we must try to collect the maximum points. We created chances and scored. All along we have been creating chances but missing the target. If you create chances and score, it's an advantage," said Matore.
Ngezi Platinum coach Chiragwi was satisfied with the result but lamented the errors in his team's defending.
"I'm totally happy because we lost the game with dignity. We did everything that we were supposed to do. They scored their first goal from a setpiece which is normal. We collapsed in terms of defending and the second goal was a mistake from the defender. He wanted to win the ball in front of a striker. We got punished. It's normal in football," said Chiragwi.
Results
Green Fuel 1-0 Black Rhinos
FC Platinum 1-0 ZPC Kariba
Chicken Inn 2-0 Ngezi Platinum
Cranborne Bullets 1-1 Highlanders