CHICKEN INN . . . . . . . . . . (1)1
NGEZI PLATINUM. . . . . . . (1)1
A DRAW was perhaps a fair result as Chicken Inn and Ngezi Platinum could not be separated after 90 minutes of action in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday afternoon.
The two teams came into the match with Chicken Inn looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Chegutu Pirates, while Ngezi were looking for maximum points after a one-all stalemate with ZPC Kariba at home in the previous encounter.
The first half was a cagey affair, only to open up just a few minutes before the break.
Both goalkeepers looked assured and it was evident that goals were going come at a premium.
At the stroke of half-time, Elshammar Farasi produced a moment of brilliance to put the host ahead.
Receiving a pass from Arthur Chinda, and with everyone expecting a shot, Farasi cleverly dummied two Ngezi Platinum defenders, picked his spot and curled a stunning shot that cannoned off the upright and nestled into the back of the net.
- Chicken Inn knockout Harare City
- FC Platinum 8 points clear as Chicken Inn falters again
- Panashe Mutasa comes of age at Tenax FC
- Dynamos back to winning ways
Keep Reading
No sooner had Chicken Inn supporters ended celebrations than Ngezi Platinum equalised, courtesy of Talent Chamboko’s stunning strike.
Sloppy defending in the box allowed the ball to fall in front of Chamboko at the edge of the box.
Seizing the opportunity, the midfielder buried the loose ball in the far corner, beating a sprawling Bernard Donovan in goals for the hosts.
With the goal, Chamboko atoned for his earlier mistake, where he gave away possession for Chicken Inn’s opener.
Both teams continued where they left off in the second half.
A number of changes were made, but neither team was able to get the winner.
The lively Farasi almost won it for Chicken Inn in the 72nd minute, but his header went wide, missing the target by a few inches from a delightful Chinda cross.
Substitute Tanaka Munemo’s cross almost deceived goalkeeper Donovan in the 80th minute, but his effort sailed over the bar with the goalkeeper backtracking.
Both coaches were satisfied with the result, with Chicken Inn's gaffer Joey Antipas thrilled by Farasi’s opener.
“I thought it was a fair result. Ngezi had their chances, we had ours,” he said.
“We scored a brilliant goal. The interplay and exchange of passes and the ball speed was good. Great goal we scored.
“Then we just went to sleep and just because as you know, it’s a game of fine margins (we conceded). I thought we should have done better in defending that equaliser.”
Ngezi Platinum's assistant coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa felt his charges controlled the proceedings, but lacked the cutting edge.
“It was an exciting game of football. Both teams played well, but we had much control. We had more ball possession in both halves,” he said.
“With a bit of luck, we could have gotten the winner. But overall, I liked our response after Chicken Inn scored.”
Teams
Chicken Inn: B Donovan, M Charamba (B Muza, 63’), I Mabunu, M Bhebhe, A Chinda, B Rendo (D Phiri, 70’), E Farasi, J Tulani, B Makopa (M Whata, 70’), G Majika (G Mtungamiri, 83’), X Ndlovu
Ngezi Platinum: N Chadya, T Meke (T Munemo, 46’), F Madhananga, O Chirinda, M Hativagoni, T Chamboko (M Mukumba, 71’), T Benhura, E Mweha (M Gaki, 46’), G Madhake, R Hachiro, K Chigwida
