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Takudzwa Chitsiga-Sports Reporter

ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)0

Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 3

INTERIM ZPC Kariba coach Newsome Mutema’s suffered his second defeat on the trot after his side was completely outplayed by Chicken Inn in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. 

The Kariba-based side, who are temporarily using the National Sports Stadium as their home ground, have been forced to travel over 400km for their games, which they said is affecting their performances. 

ZPC Kariba is playing entertaining soccer but somehow they are losing it as goals are not coming. 

The game started off at a blistering pace yesterday although it was delayed by 10 minutes after Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard was told to change his top. 

Barely two minutes into the game, ZPC Kariba player Fanuel Shoko was also told to remove his pair of leggings. Play continued while he was in the changing rooms, leaving a void on his right side position. 

Chicken Inn made use of the brief numerical advantage, with Brian Muza taking a short at goal that was punched back into play by the goalkeeper Tapiwa Chilenga. The ball fell in the path of Malvin Hwata who headed home the Gamecocks’ opening goal in the fourth minute. 

ZPC Kariba tried to come back with Leroy Murape causing all sorts of trouble but the hosts saw goalkeeper Donovan Bernard resolute in goals for Chicken Inn. 

The second half resumed with both teams exercising caution but Tafadzwa Kutinyu doubled the visitors’ lead with a beauty after another good piece of work by Muza.

As the game progressed, Chicken Inn’s confidence multiplied and they added another goal through second half substitute Genius Mutungamiri. 

A good build-up from the Chicken Inn half saw Xolani Ndlovu covering some acres of space only to release Mutungamiri who responded with a beauty. 

ZPC Kariba coach Mutema believes fatigue is catching up with his side and is hoping for their Nyamhunga home ground to be homologated to limit travel distances.

“It was a good game. We failed to utilise our chances in the first half and we were punished in the second half. The boys played well in the first half and we could have utilised our chances but we failed. 

“I think this all goes back to fatigue. We are travelling a lot and the players will be tired. I believe we will do well in the next games,’ said Mutema. 

Chicken Inn coach Prince Matore was full of praise for his side. He admitted there is always pressure but picking up maximum points in their last two games raised their confidence. 

“A good game; the boys applied themselves well especially in the second half where we managed to score two goals and created so many chances. 

“We always want to make sure that we get maximum points and keep abreast with the leading teams. I think these three points are going to help us ahead of our home game at the weekend. The game was exciting and we are happy with the early goal we got as it helped us stay in the game,” said Matore.