Chicken Inn beats Monomotapa

Chicken Inn 3 - 0 Monomotapa
CHICKEN Inn came out of their defeat to FC Platinum to condemn visitors Monomotapa to a fourth position in the Independence Cup third place play-off at White City Stadium yesterday.

Goals from Linience Mpofu, Cabby Kamhapa and Makhosi Ncube were enough to condemn, the visitors to their second defeat in Bulawayo in less than a month.

The match which marked the country's 33 years of independence saw Chicken Inn's Linience Mpofu opening the floodgates for the Gamecocks 24 minutes into the match.

There was commotion in the Monomotapa box with their jittery defence failing to clear.

Mpofu ghosted from the blind side and placed the ball beyond the reach of the Monomotapa goalkeeper Daniel Gorembwa who was the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Nine minutes later, Cabby Kamhapa made it 2-0 when he drove a hard shot from outside the box which the Monomotapa goalkeeper Gorembwa  only managed to retrieve from the back of the net. And what a beauty it was.

Hard running Agrippa Sithole who had a good game combining with Ncube in midfield, broke loose from the Monomotapa defence and when charging towards goal, Monomotapa defender Last Sithole had no choice but to bring him down just at the edge of the box.

Zephania Ngodzo who had one of his best games in Chicken Inn colours set up Sithole who obliged with a stinging shot leaving Gorembwa sprawling on the ground.

By then the home side were sensing victory and kept on pilling the pressure on their hapless visitors and the third goal was always looming and come it did.

Slippery Makhosi  whose deft touches were a marvel to watch dribbled his way through the Monomotapa defence like a hot knife cutting through margarine.

Visitors' defender Zvikomborero Biseki sensing danger quickly brought him down leaving referee Philani Ncube with no choice but to point to the spot.

Up stepped Makhosi who coolly slotted the ball home with Gorembwa diving in vain.

The match started at a cracking pace with the teams evenly balanced but Chicken Inn were enjoying more possession.

As early as the first minute, the Gamecocks forced a corner after pilling pressure on the Monomotapa defence.

Monomotapa slowly crept back into the game and during one of those rare raids, a corner after 22 minutes was easily dealt with by the well marshaled Chicken Inn defence.

Towards half time Monomotapa's Morgen Mungombe almost pulled one goal back for his team when his free kick crushed against a Chicken Inn defender.

The second half started on a high tempo again with Monomotapa throwing every man in attack in search of an elusive goal.

But whatever the visitors could throw at, Chicken Inn defence of Ngodzo, Dion Homela and former Hwange right back  Tonisani Sibelo easily dealt with.

Mpofu almost made it 4-0 for Chicken Inn after 84 minutes of play after being fed by Richard Jongwe but missed from close range with the keeper at his mercy.

Ngodzo, Agrippa Peperere and Monomotapa's Never Tigere all received yellow cards for rough play.

Chicken Inn will receive $15 000 while Monomotapa will get $10 000 for their efforts.

Teams:
Chicken Inn: N. Nyoni, C. Kamhapa, D. Homela, M. Ncube, R. Jongwe, M. Marima, T. Sibelo, Z. Ngodzo, A. Peperere (K. Ncube 85th m), J. Daudi.
Monomotapa: D. Gorembwa, C. Mesi, O. Mwerahari, H. Masumbuko, M. Mungombe, L. Sithole, F. Madhanaga (N. Tigere 47th m) G. Murwira, N. Meson, Z. Biseki, M. Nyanzira (K.Musharu 67th m).