BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
ZPC Kariba……. (2) 2 Chicken Inn…..(0) 1
TITLE-chasing Chicken Inn failed to capitalise on FC Platinum’s inactivity on the local scene after a disappointing loss to ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga yesterday.
Two first half goals from Tawanda Nyamandwe and Simbarashe Gorogodyo tilted the match in ZPC Kariba’s favour while the league’s top scorer Clive Augusto gave Chicken some hope late on.
A win for Chicken Inn, currently second in the league two points behind the leaders, could have seen them soar to the top of the log standings with FC Platinum on the African safari this weekend.
Nyamandwe opened the scoring 10 minutes before half time with Gorogodyo doubling the scores five minutes later.
Augusto then took his goal tally to 14 goals for the season 18 minutes before full time from the penalty spot to set up a nervy finish.
The hosts managed to cling on to maximum points and consequently jumped two places into fourth place on the standing level on points with Chicken Inn and Black Rhinos in third.
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Meanwhile, relegation-threatened Yadah FC failed to make the most of home advantage after sharing spoils with Hwange in an encounter, which proved to a big yawn.
Alarm bells should be ringing for the Walter Magaya-owned side, fighting to stay in the top-flight league for a third consecutive season.
It was not surprise when Yadah dominated the exchanges in the first half at Rufaro on a chilly afternoon with Godknows Mangani drawing a brilliant low save from Collen Phiri in goals for the coal miners.
Hwange had their first shot at goal early in the second half, but Issah Ali was alert to tip over the bar Collen Phiri’s dipping speculative shot from outside the box.
Captain Byron Madzokere had a free kick neatly saved by Phiri halfway through the second half as both team failed to find momentum.
The biggest talking point of the match was when Yadah goalkeeper Ali escaped a red card after handling the ball outside the box with referee Jimmy Makwande flashing yellow 10 minutes before the end of the match.
It’s now five matches since Yadah, coached by Genesis Mangombe, won a match, while Hwange have now gone four matches without bagging maximum points.
Yadah have a tough encounter next as they travel to Bulawayo to face one of the league favourites Chicken Inn.
