Harare City …….. 0 Chicken Inn…… 0
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
HARARE CITY recorded their 14th stalemate of the season, the highest in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League by some stretch, after an entertaining goalless affair with former champions Chicken Inn at Rufaro yesterday.
Only that this time the point was not deserved and were it not for a couple of brilliant saves by Ryan Harrison and the goalpost, the Sunshine City Boys would have emerged clutching thin air.
The municipality side has drawn half of its 28 matches so far, winning nine and drawing five as they sit seventh on the log standings.
“We have drawn a lot of games, some games we should have won and others we should have lost, so maybe it balances a little bit. I think our misgiving this season is that we have failed to finish our chances in some games we should have won comfortably. But looking from where we are coming from — and I keep saying we came from a division one kind of situation — I think we have done okay,” Harare City coach Mark Harrison said after the match.
It was a match pitting two teams that are not afraid to keep the ball on the ground. Harare City tried hard, they looked like they wanted to play, but Chicken Inn were dominant from the first whistle.
Innocent Mucheneka’s speculative volley from outside the box beat the hosts’ goalkeeper Harrison, but the ball cannoned off the inside of the upright and somehow bounced back into play.
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Harrison also produced a brilliant save to stop Obrey Chrinda’s stinging drive and keep the hosts in the match.
Chicken Inn came close with livewire Obrey Chirinda and Simon Munawa early in the second half.
Substitute King Nasama came closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors 10 minutes from time, slipping away from his marker, but Harrison saved well with his feet.
“I thought we were the better team and we should have taken the three points. That’s been our story the whole season dominating matches and failing to grab maximum points. But of late I have been integrating some young players in the team and they are doing well. They will definitely be a force next season,” Joey Antipas said in his post-match interview.
Teams: Harare City: R Harrison, H Chapusha, T Chimwemwe, M Muchenje, W Manondo, P Mpelele, L Muyambo, R Uchena, I Wadi (M Vengesai 82’), K Musharu (W Muvirimi 68’), T Pio (M Gaki 45’). Chicken Inn: P Zendera, X Ndlovu, P Bernard, G Majika ( C Matawu 58’), M Jackson, S Munawa, O Chirinda, I Mucheneka (J Nyabinde 24’), N Mutatiwa, N Muchadeyi ( K Nasama 75’) L Sithole
