Muza bullet header rocks Bosso

Chicken Inn went into the halftime break with a crucial lead in the Bulawayo Derby at Barbourfields Stadium, courtesy of a powerful header from Brian Muza. The forward rose highest in the 26th minute, converting a precise Michael Charamba cross to put the Gamecocks ahead in a match brimming with tension, nerves, and survival stakes.

Highlanders, known as Bosso, started strongly and were the first to threaten the goal. In the 10th minute, Brian Mlotshwa's close-range header from an Andrew Mbeba free kick went wide, leaving the Soweto Stand stunned. A minute later, Charamba attempted a long-range strike that flew over the crossbar. Bosso maintained control, dictating the tempo, and in the 14th minute, Learnmore Muyambo unleashed a long-range effort that skimmed over the bar.

Chicken Inn responded with two successive headed opportunities in the 18th minute through George Majika and Joseph Tulani, both failing to find the target. Moments later, Highlanders' Nigerian midfielder Benjamin Adeogun forced a sharp save from Donovan Bernard, who punched away the dipping effort for a corner. Bosso came close again in the 21st minute when Atusaye Nyondo capitalised on a Bernard error, but the chance went begging. Tendai Muvuti then fired over from a promising position seconds later, while Mason Mushore, finding space in the box, hesitated and lost possession before taking a shot.

Tensions rose shortly after the half-hour mark. Mlotshwa received a yellow card for violent conduct, and Highlanders coach Pieter De Jongh was booked in the 35th minute for kicking the ball back onto the pitch in frustration. On the stroke of halftime, Chicken Inn nearly doubled their advantage when Lynoth Chikuhwa failed to connect with a precise Xolani Ndlovu cross.

The Bulawayo Derby lived up to its "Derby of Doom" billing, full of intensity, frustration, and flying chances. The second half promises even more drama as both sides push for supremacy.