Sports / Soccer
Chicken In beat Bosso in Harare
19 Apr 2016 at 06:41hrs | Views
Chicken Inn 2 - 1 Highlanders
CHICKEN Inn underlined their status as a growing force in local football when they lifted the Independence Trophy in an exciting Bulawayo Derby delivered at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
It was a thrilling encounter which will remain etched in the minds of the big crowd at the giant stadium as the majority of supporters were rooting for the league champions who are becoming popular by the day.
For their efforts, Chicken Inn went home $15 000 richer while Highlanders got $10 000 following a revision of the prize money.
FC Platinum, who beat a clueless Dynamos in the third/fourth place final at Barbourfields, got $6 000 while Dynamos went home with $4 000.
The Bulawayo derby lived to its billing and proved that a derby is a derby no matter where it is played as the two teams traded blows before Highlanders finally gave in, in the second period.
Both teams showed strong intent as action swung from one end to another.
And the Bulawayo giants were the first to draw blood in the 18th minute when Bruce Kangwa, who was playing in attack, found a loose ball unmarked and put it beyond Chicken Inn second choice goalkeeper Pride Zendera.
The Gamecocks levelled terms seven minutes later through former Highlanders player Obadiah Tarumbwa.
But Chicken Inn then demonstrated that they are the champions of Zimbabwe when forward Mitchel Katsvairo, who is having a game of his life, scored a beauty 20 minutes before time.
The striker beat his marker and unleashed a ferocious rising shot which flew past goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda to send the packed stadium into a frenzy.
With both teams playing at a neutral venue, the champions Chicken Inn found themselves the favourites of the supporters and the "chicken dance" became synonymous with most of the fans who thronged the giant facility to celebrate the country's birthday with a soccer match. The two teams did not disappoint as they provided full entertainment with Chicken Inn players Tarumbwa and Katsvairo a marvel to watch whenever they were in possession.
Highlanders showed that the new coach Errol Akbay has been investing quality time in his side as the team was refreshing to watch.
Bosso made some runs into the opposition half and Chicken Inn goalkeeper Zendera, who was given a rare start ahead of Elvis Chipezeze, was forced to make numerous saves off Kangwa and King Nadolo efforts.
But it was Chicken Inn who got that killer punch when it mattered most to make the long trip back home smiling.
The way they broke into song and dance as they were waiting to lift the trophy showed deep unity and a strong spirit which might not be easy to break as other league teams will battle to dislodge them from the throne.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was elated that his team picked the first silverware of the season.
And going into this match, the gaffer had said it was important that they boost their confidence by winning each and every game and winning some of the trophies on offer. He was particularly pleased that some of the players he threw into the fray when he rested his regulars, such as Clement Matawu and Edmore Chirambadare, rose to the occasion.
Antipas overhauled his midfield handing in starts to Pride Tafirenyika, George Majika, Nicholas Muchadeyi and Brian Juru and the players did not disappoint as they drove the midfield with aplomb.
"I thought tactically we were better than them and we also refreshed the team with some new young boys who came up with a good performance and a good team display.
"George Majika, he was on top of his game. Brian seeing that Danny was not around, he settled in well and put pressure on them, he is an excellent player and a hard worker.
"As I said before we will just go game by game and it was good to win an early trophy and we will just see how it progresses.
"It is great to win the Independence Cup," said Antipas.
Highlanders coach Akbay said the pitch did not allow his usual type of play and they also wasted a lot of chances which could have made a difference.
"I wanted to win today but the field was not so good and our style of play is one touch football every time we were playing to get the ball we were losing.
"We had too many chances but we did not score and if you don't score goals you will lose.
"Our style of football was not there and we didn't play well and Chicken Inn won,' said Akbay.
Teams
Chicken Inn: P. Zendera, P. Bernard, T. Hadebe, M. Jackson, L. Mhlanga, B. Juru, P. Tafirenyika (C. Matawu 89th minute), G. Majika, M. Katsvairo, N. Muchadeyi (E. Chirambadare 46th minute), O. Tarumbwa (T. Goredema 75th minute).
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, T. Ndlovu, H. Moyo, F. Chindungwe, D. Sibanda (G. Makaruse 46th minute), B. Phiri, S. Munawa, K. Nadolo, K. Mtizwa, P. Dube (K. Chimbadzwa 66th minute), B. Kangwa.
CHICKEN Inn underlined their status as a growing force in local football when they lifted the Independence Trophy in an exciting Bulawayo Derby delivered at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
It was a thrilling encounter which will remain etched in the minds of the big crowd at the giant stadium as the majority of supporters were rooting for the league champions who are becoming popular by the day.
For their efforts, Chicken Inn went home $15 000 richer while Highlanders got $10 000 following a revision of the prize money.
FC Platinum, who beat a clueless Dynamos in the third/fourth place final at Barbourfields, got $6 000 while Dynamos went home with $4 000.
The Bulawayo derby lived to its billing and proved that a derby is a derby no matter where it is played as the two teams traded blows before Highlanders finally gave in, in the second period.
Both teams showed strong intent as action swung from one end to another.
And the Bulawayo giants were the first to draw blood in the 18th minute when Bruce Kangwa, who was playing in attack, found a loose ball unmarked and put it beyond Chicken Inn second choice goalkeeper Pride Zendera.
The Gamecocks levelled terms seven minutes later through former Highlanders player Obadiah Tarumbwa.
But Chicken Inn then demonstrated that they are the champions of Zimbabwe when forward Mitchel Katsvairo, who is having a game of his life, scored a beauty 20 minutes before time.
The striker beat his marker and unleashed a ferocious rising shot which flew past goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda to send the packed stadium into a frenzy.
With both teams playing at a neutral venue, the champions Chicken Inn found themselves the favourites of the supporters and the "chicken dance" became synonymous with most of the fans who thronged the giant facility to celebrate the country's birthday with a soccer match. The two teams did not disappoint as they provided full entertainment with Chicken Inn players Tarumbwa and Katsvairo a marvel to watch whenever they were in possession.
Highlanders showed that the new coach Errol Akbay has been investing quality time in his side as the team was refreshing to watch.
Bosso made some runs into the opposition half and Chicken Inn goalkeeper Zendera, who was given a rare start ahead of Elvis Chipezeze, was forced to make numerous saves off Kangwa and King Nadolo efforts.
But it was Chicken Inn who got that killer punch when it mattered most to make the long trip back home smiling.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was elated that his team picked the first silverware of the season.
And going into this match, the gaffer had said it was important that they boost their confidence by winning each and every game and winning some of the trophies on offer. He was particularly pleased that some of the players he threw into the fray when he rested his regulars, such as Clement Matawu and Edmore Chirambadare, rose to the occasion.
Antipas overhauled his midfield handing in starts to Pride Tafirenyika, George Majika, Nicholas Muchadeyi and Brian Juru and the players did not disappoint as they drove the midfield with aplomb.
"I thought tactically we were better than them and we also refreshed the team with some new young boys who came up with a good performance and a good team display.
"George Majika, he was on top of his game. Brian seeing that Danny was not around, he settled in well and put pressure on them, he is an excellent player and a hard worker.
"As I said before we will just go game by game and it was good to win an early trophy and we will just see how it progresses.
"It is great to win the Independence Cup," said Antipas.
Highlanders coach Akbay said the pitch did not allow his usual type of play and they also wasted a lot of chances which could have made a difference.
"I wanted to win today but the field was not so good and our style of play is one touch football every time we were playing to get the ball we were losing.
"We had too many chances but we did not score and if you don't score goals you will lose.
"Our style of football was not there and we didn't play well and Chicken Inn won,' said Akbay.
Teams
Chicken Inn: P. Zendera, P. Bernard, T. Hadebe, M. Jackson, L. Mhlanga, B. Juru, P. Tafirenyika (C. Matawu 89th minute), G. Majika, M. Katsvairo, N. Muchadeyi (E. Chirambadare 46th minute), O. Tarumbwa (T. Goredema 75th minute).
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, T. Ndlovu, H. Moyo, F. Chindungwe, D. Sibanda (G. Makaruse 46th minute), B. Phiri, S. Munawa, K. Nadolo, K. Mtizwa, P. Dube (K. Chimbadzwa 66th minute), B. Kangwa.
Source - the herald
