BY FORTUNE MBELE/NURURAI JENA
CHICKEN INN . . . . . . . (1) 3
MANICA DIAMONDS . (0) 3
ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . . (1) 2
HARARE CITY . . . . . . . (0) 1
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HOSTS Chicken Inn FC were lucky to escape with a draw as Manica Diamonds came within minutes of securing victory before veteran defender Moses Jackson’s header on the stroke of full-time ensured a share of the spoils in this thrilling top of the table clash at Luveve yesterday.
Manica Diamonds certainly thought they had stolen the three points as they led 3-2 with a minute to play that had too many twists and turns.
The Gamecooks were the first to open the scoring in the first half through Bret Amidu after 38 minutes.
Manica Diamonds were the better side in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts as Talent Chamboko equalised 15 minutes into second stanza.
Passmore Bernard got Chicken Inn’s second after 73 minutes with powerful strike that deflected off Brian Muza on its way into the net.
With ten minutes left on the clock Nyasha Chintuli scored a brace inside two minutes to take the visitors into the lead.
Xolani Moyo was sent for an early shower after receiving a second yellow card after removing his shirt while celebrating Chintuli’s second goal in the 82nd minute.
Chicken Inn showed great fighting spirit and Jackson rose high to head home the equaliser on the stroke of full-time.
At Nyamhunga ZPC Kariba finally remembered how to win after ending their seven match winless run with a victory against Harare City yesterday.
Johanne Sibanda gave the hosts the lead in the 21st minute when his shot just outside the box deflected off a Harare City defender before finding its way into the left corner to torch wild celebrations in the stadium.
Harare City defender Donald Dzvinyai was denied an equaliser in the 28th minute when his direct free kick crashed against the crossbar with keeper Future Sibanda a beaten man.
Sibanda could have increased the lead but with keeper Dendera to beat he took his time allowing the keeper to collect the ball from his feet.
In the second half ZPC Kariba continued to dominate and were duly rewarded in the 84th minute when substitute Samuel Makawa scored from Newman Sianchali cross to kill the match as a contest.
Second half substitute Zorodzai Semure headed a consolation for Harare City in added time but the damage had already been inflicted.