CHICKEN INN . . . . . . . . . 0 CHAPUNGU . . . . . . . . . . 0
BY FORTUNE MBELE
THINGS are not looking good for Rahman Gumbo after his Chicken Inn side was held at home to a goalless draw by Chapungu yesterday, having lost to the same team 2-1 at Ascot Stadium about a month ago.
Chicken Inn executive committee members, chairman Lifa Ncube, secretary Tavengwa Hara and treasurer Mlungisi Moyo got into what looked like an emergency crisis meeting a few minutes before Masvingo referee Arnold Ncube blew to end the football match at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Sources said the Chicken Inn leadership is not happy because Gumbo has failed to meet his target of 20 points in 10 matches, but emerging from the stadium yesterday, Hara said they were not pressing the panic button yet.
“It was just sad faces and that was not a crisis meeting at all. We were just discussing some club issues. Everything is well. All the teams in the league are inconsistent,” Hara said.
In a match of very few chances, the key moment came in the 17th minute when Ncube and his first assistant Ngqabutho Dlamini disallowed a goal by Chicken Inn midfielder George Majika, after protests from the Chapungu players.
Clearly not happy with the decision to award the goal, the visiting players mobbed the assistant referee and upon consultation with fourth match official Hardley Ndazi, they reserved the decision.
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But Gumbo, who said he is not under pressure at all, said he thought it was a genuine goal and the incident changed the complexion of the game.
“We should have won this one. From my point of view, that was a genuine goal. The referee and his assistant acknowledged that it was a goal, but after the fourth official came in that goal was disallowed. We dominated the game, but my strikers could have done better. We got many chances, but were wasted. I think we are showing some direction, but we are affected by injuries and suspensions. There is room for improvement. Of course we are not consistent, but we are not under pressure,” Gumbo said.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino said he was happy with the point from Chicken Inn.
“I am excited; getting four points at the expense of the reigning champions. It’s a plus for the boys. Our game plan worked. This is good for us as we want to end the season in top eight.” Teams:
Chicken Inn: P Zendera, L Mhlanga, D Lunga, T Hadebe, G Majika, C Samakweri, T Kutinyu, M Jackson (T Goredema 90’), B Nyahunzvi, D Nyandoro (O Zibande 65’), O Tarumbwa (M Demera 65’) Chapungu: R Mazingi, W Ngonya, H Mugoniwa, B Zabula, B Mbavarira, T Mombeshora, A Peperere, R Mhlanga (J Mabugu 73’), F Bushiri (X Moyo 46’), G Phiri, A Tavariswa (P Marufu 65’)
