Antipas yearns for a win
Black Rhinos……………0 Chicken Inn……………..0
CHICKEN Inn’s inconsistent performances have left coach Joey Antipas yearning for ‘at least three wins in a row’ if they are to entertain any thoughts of winning the Castle Lager Premiership title.
They are now winless in their last three matches after last week’s 1-1 draw against Chapungu at home, which was preceded by a 0-2 loss to rivals Highlanders.
The Gamecocks’ forward, Obriel Chirinda’s body language after yesterday’s stalemate at the National Sports Stadium was telling.
Chirinda, guilty of missing two oneon-one chances in either half, walked off the pitch visibly dejected. He kicked and punched the air and banged the dressing room walls.
The home side, Rhinos, might not have been dramatic with result, but they were also wasteful upfront with skipper Wellington Taderera chipping over in the first minute of the match.
Second half substitute Moses Demera should have snatched a win for Rhinos, but somehow shot over from very close range in what was virtually the last kick of this top of the table clash.
The draw leaves Chicken Inn with 43 points and further adrift of log leaders CAPS United (47 points) ahead of the Green Machine’s clash against Hwange today.
Antipas admits they are making life difficult for themselves.
“That has been our biggest undoing the whole season. We can play very well in one game then play badly in the next one, so our consistency this season has been poor so far, especially at home, we do better on the road.
“It’s frustrating if you look at the chances we created. While what happened with Chirinda happens in the game, at least we should have taken one chance.
“It’s getting difficult by the day because we are not picking up maximum points. We need to try and hit a good patch, pick up at least three or four games on the trot, then it will be good for us,” said Antipas.
Rhinos’ coach Herbert Maruwa wants a top-four finish, but has not ruled out clinching the league title.
“We want to be amongst the top four teams but if we can win the league, we have to fight to the end.
“lt’s possible because we still have eight games to play and teams in the race will play against each other.
“The race is wide open,” Maruwa said. Black Rhinos were the better side in the first half, but it counted for nothing despite Chicken Inn being forced into an 18th minute substitution when Liberty Chakoroma suffered a knee injury.
The home team started the second half with an intent of attacking on the right side where Jameson Mukombwe and Taderera were combining well.
Rhinos persisted with forward forays but found the Gamecocks defence, led by captain Guide Goddard, resolute.
Amidst the action, Antipas was shown a yellow card by referee Pedzisai Chadya for persistently questioning his decisions.
Rhinos had a penalty shout when a Melvin Mekiwa bicycle kick off a Farai Banda throw in hit a Chicken Inn defender, but the referee waved away the appeals. With 10 minutes to play, Chirinda missed another one-on-one chance.