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Allen Khumalo in Bulawayo

Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2

Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

A BRACE by Innocent Mucheneka inspired Chicken Inn to maximum points against Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve yesterday.

Mucheneka put the home side ahead in the 32nd minute and doubled it six minutes later.

Yet the match started at a slow pace with both teams showing no intention of scoring.

Chapungu got the first chance to score when Philip Marufu delivered a good cross from the left, but Clive Rupiya fired over the bar.

Chicken Inn then seized control of the game in the 20th minute, although they failed to breach Chapungu’s backline comprising of Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Hilary Mugani, Blessed Mbavarira and Collen Kwaramba. Their first real chance fell to Nichole Mutatiwa, who shot agonisingly wide from inside the box.

In the 31st minute, Chapungu goalkeeper Talbert Shumba punched away Mucheneka’s ferocious free-kick from the edge of the box.

Chapungu finally succumbed to pressure in the 32nd minute when Shumba spilled Nicholas Muchadeyi’s cross from the left.

Mucheneka reacted quicker to tap home the opener.

Six minutes later, Mucheneka turned from the edge of the box and found the top corner of the net for his brace.

Chapungu had a chance to pull one back in the 44th minute when Rupiya made a run on the right side, but his cut-back was met by a weak shot by Brighton Muganyi.

Meanwhile, Shabane Mine coach Alexio Sigion appears to have resigned to fate after his team were held to a one-all draw by basement side Bulawayo City yesterday.

Veteran winger Christopher Semakweri scored in the first half to cancel an early Peter Muzondo strike for the Chinda Boys and ensure a share of the spoils in this battle of the strugglers.

Yesterday’s result leaves Shabanie with just 18 points after 27 games, a massive 13 points adrift of a safety position on the log standings with just seven games left in the season.

The point gained on the road yesterday was also not enough to improve City’s position as they remained log anchors with 16 points, and unlike Shabanie they are left with six games. Shabanie have been in fiscal discomfort the whole year, surviving through handouts from well wishers to remain afloat in the top tier.

Sigion said their otherwise non-existent budget has complicated his job and has now surrendered to fate their Premiership status.

“You know it is difficult to motivate these players when things are not going on well like this, some clubs do that with remuneration but I know our situation and we keep on encouraging our players to do their best.