Gamecocks shoot to the top

Manica Diamonds ............. (0) 0 FC Platinum ........................ (1) 2 DEFENDING champions FC Platinum will not give up their title without a fight right to the very end.

The Zvishavane miners are battling to win three straight league championships and beat Manica Diamonds 2-0 at Vengere yesterday.

They are now level on points with new leaders Chicken Inn but have an inferior goal difference.

The result cheered FC Platinum coach, Lizwe Sweswe, who was forced to publicly apologise for his team’s shock defeat at the hands of Bulawayo Chiefs.

Irate fans blocked his vehicle, as he was about to leave Mandava, unhappy with the defeat at the hands of the Amakhosi. Yesterday, the home team started on the offensive with dreadlocked midfielder Last Jesi chasing a number of anxious moments for the visitors.

However, it was FC Platinum who took the lead when Gift Mbweti tapped into a yawning net in the 16th minute.

The Manica Diamonds back-line had failed to deal with a low cross from exciting winger Guvye Nsiali.

The hosts had a fine chance to level terms six minutes after the break when FC Platinum’s Gift Bello handled just outside the box.

But Jesi’s screamer was parried to safety by impressive FC Platinum goalminder Francis Tizayi.

It was clear the home team badly missed veteran defender Partson “Yellow” Jaure.

In the 73rd minute Rodwell Chinyengetere roasted his marker and then fired home from inside the box to extend the visitors’ lead.

“I think we played well and got the result we wanted,’’ said Sweswe. “The boys were disciplined both in attack and defence.

“That is exactly what we wanted and it paid off.

“I think the race is now wide open. This result gives us hope that we can still win the title.

“We just have to keep fighting to win the remaining matches and hope results from other matches will work in our favour.’’ Manica Diamonds gaffer Johanisi Nhumwa, is still confident they will survive relegation.

He bemoaned the absence of Jaure, who is in camp with the national team.

Mushowani Stars ................. 0 Chicken Inn .................... (0) 1 CHICKEN Inn scripted another twist to this year’s Castle Lager Premiership race when they ground out victory at basement side Mushowani Stars yesterday.

Midfielder Innocent Mucheneka’s 48th minute strike made the big difference as the Gamecocks shot to the top of the table.

They have the same number of points as FC Platinum, who also won 2-0 away at Manica Diamonds, but the Gamecocks have a superior goal difference. Both teams have 52 points. CAPS United, who led the race for the past two months, slipped into third place, ahead of their clash with ZPC Kariba at Rufaro this afternoon.

Chicken Inn coach, Joey Antipas, was happy by the result although he was left livid by referee Pedzisai Chadya’s decision to deny his team what appeared a genuine goal in the first half.

“It was a difficult fixture playing here at Trojan and I would say we ground out this result,’’ he said.

“I admire the fighting spirit of the guys but I only have got one problem, I didn’t know Zimbabwe now has VAR because it’s my first time in my career here to see the fourth official changing the decision of the three match officials.

“We scored a legitimate goal and the referee and the assistants indicated goal but the fourth official changed that.

“But it’s a good win for us and we just got to keep going in the last games and then see what we can come up with.’’

The Gamecocks are now top on 52 points, on the log standings, and are separated by goal difference with FC Platinum. Antipas’ men boosted their momentum in this year’s contest with a controversial 2-1 win over Triangle in a rescheduled match last weekend.

And, yesterday, they survived an early scare when the hosts got a penalty following a disputed handball by Tichaona Chipunza.

Mushowani Stars forward, Paul Chiramba, missed from the spot.

Chicken Inn held their nerve and broke the deadlock soon after the break.

Mucheneka’s low effort beat goalkeeper Admire Masuka from the edge of the box after Sipho Ndlovu had won a tussle against Webster Tafa.

The visitors did well to keep the hosts at bay in the second half.

Chicken Inn goalkeeper,Pride Zendera, escaped with a caution after going out of his area and fouling Joseph Tulani soon after the breather.

The hosts did everything but could not score with striker Paul Chiramba showing signs of tiring before he was taken off midway through the second half.

Mushowani Stars made a spirited appeal for a penalty with 15 minutes remaining after Clemence Zimondi’s attempt at goal came off Tichaona Chipunza inside the box.

However, referee Chadya dismissed the appeals from the home team.

Mushowani sunk to the bottom of the table with the loss.

They had managed to stay afloot with a good run at home after they got the green light to play at Trojan in June.

But that aura of invincibility appears to have vanished following losses to CAPS United and Bulawayo Chiefs.

“Obviously, this is a game that we needed to win in order to collect the much-needed maximum points,’’ Mushowani coach, Newman Mashipe, said.

“It’s very disappointing to lose such kind of games, especially at home, when you know you are involved in the fight for survival.

“What is important now is to try and find a way to come back. It’s very unfortunate we missed a penalty which could probably have turned the game in our favour.

“But these things do happen everywhere in the world.’’

TEAMS

Mushowani Stars: A. Masuku, C. Nyakope, W. Tafa, C. Musimwa , C. Dzingayi, S. Savare, J. Tulani, S. Chikwerengwe (B. Phiri, 74th min), A. Kambanje (C. Muvuti, 66th min), C. Rukwanhi, P. Chiramba (C. Zimondi, 51st min)

Chicken Inn: P. Zendera, P. Dube, X. Ndlovu, M. Jackson, G. Goddard, T. Chipunza, J. Nyabinde, M. Gaki, S. Ndlovu (S. Munawa, 83rd min), I. Mucheneka (B. Amidu, 65th min), G. Majika ( V. Kadonzvo, 90th min).

Harare City .................... (1) (2) TelOne ........................... (2) (2) THIS was a classic and, just as well, it finished in a draw.

The two teams gave as much as they got in this Castle Lager Premiership battle at Rufaro yesterday.

The hosts needed a last-gasp goal to get a point. King Nadolo was at his best all afternoon and scored two goals in the first half to set the tone.

But Lloyd Chitembwe’s men twice came from behind to ensure a share of the spoils. First, it was William Manondo before captain Marshall Machazane scored right at the end to force a draw. The tactical astuteness of the two technical benches was on show but at the end of the match TelOne coach, Rahman Gumbo, felt his charges deserved full points.

“We had done our homework nicely, and to be frank we deserved a win, but we are in the same situation like Harare City and they never give up, they showed they want to survive.

“Tough like to my boys, some results are hard to swallow, but it happens in a game, it is unfortunate it happened in the last minute for my players.

“I have young players, they are still on a learning curve, (but the) relegation battle continues, we still have games to play,” said Gumbo.

Chitembwe felt one of the goals they conceded should have been avoided.

“There was a collision between the goalkeeper and the defender. It could have been avoided because we talk about these things on a daily basis but the boys are learning and I am satisfied with the result. It is an important point. I am very happy with the point considering the fact they are also in the relegation fight.

“It was going to put us at a disadvantage if they had collected maximum points,” said Chitembwe.