Rahman Gumbo cries foul
Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . . . (0) (1) Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . (1) (1) FOR the fourth time in as many matches, Chicken Inn failed to collect maximum points to push themselves fi rmly back into the race aft er they were held by relegation-threatened Shabanie Mine at Maglas yesterday.
Presented with a golden opportunity to exert pressure on early pacesetters with an earlier kick- off, they once again fluffed the opportunity.
Rahman Gumbo thought his side had done enough to take maximum points aft er a fi rst half goal by Passmore Bernard had given them a half- time lead.
But the title chasers allowed their opponents to come back into the game through a brilliantly executed dead ball effort by Shabanie Mine captain Farai Mupasiri.
Coach Rahman Gumbo, however, refused to throw in the towel in this title race.
“We are on a rough patch, but we are not yet out.
“We are still in the race with a realistic chance of winning, there are still games to play and anything can happen. We have a chance of winning the league and we will keep on fighting.
“Shabanie Mine benefited from a hometown decision, there was no infringement there when they were awarded that free-kick.
‘’ The free- kick was well taken though but it was not supposed to be have been given. I watched the video after the match and there was no infringement.
“We were going defend that goal we scored in the fi rst half and go on to win the match but it was never to be,” he said.
For the second week running, a visiting team left Maglas feeling shortchanged.
Shabanie coach Takesure Chiragwi was a happy man.
“The guys showed a lot of fighting spirit, especially in the second half, and that performance motivates us a lot.
“The relegation fi ght is still on but we need to continue fighting and avoid defeats in our remaining matches for us to have a chance of surviving,” said Chiragwi.
P Moyo, J Nyabinde, B Mukundu, A Dzumbunu (D Chivandire 58), N Mpofu, T Mupumhu, F Mupasiri ( W Mupasiri 80th min), W Mapfumo, T Ajana (B Mtigo 87th min), T Chimoyo, W Taderera
E Chipezeze, P Bernard, D Lunga, T Goredema, M Jackson, C Matawu, B Nyahunzwi, C Samakweri (O Tarumbwa 66th min), D Nyandoro (G Majika 75th min), B Sibanda, C Dhuwa (B Juru 53rd min)