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Joey Antipas

Ricky Zililo in Ndola, Zambia
Zanaco 2-2 Chicken Inn

CHICKEN Inn came from behind twice to share the spoils with Zambian Premiership side Zanaco in their opening match of the Zesco FC Invitational Cup played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium here yesterday.

Coach Joey Antipas was happy with the result and his team’s performance as it was their first competitive match since losing to Highlanders in the final of the Easycall Cup last month.

The Gamecocks found themselves a goal down four minutes into the match from a Rodrick Kabwe free-kick that beat goalkeeper Pride Zendera after George Majika had committed a foul on the left side of the penalty box.

The visitors equalised in the 11th minute through an easy tap in by Brian Mujuru, who finished off a good cross from impressive new signing Phsywell Madhazi.

Fashion Sakala restored Zanaco’s lead in the 28th minute after intercepting a back pass from Ben Nyahunzvi intended for his goalkeeper Zendera.

Chicken Inn’s new signing Obidiah Tarumbwa equalised through a well-taken grounder in the 82nd minute.

Antipas attributed the goals they conceded to poor concentration due to lack of match fitness.

“In terms of fitness, we’re heading in the positive direction, but we still have a long way to go,” said Antipas.

“I think concentration levels will rise when the guys are fit because if you look at the goals we conceded, they were soft and could have been avoided. However, I’m happy with my players’ performance today, they did their best and managed to hold Zanaco, who are a good team,” he said.

Antipas was also impressed with the chances they created but failed to convert. Mitchelle Katsvairo was guilty of fluffing most of the scoring opportunities when he failed to beat Zanaco goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata in the 20th, 24th and 60th minutes.

The Gamecocks finished the match with 10 men after Thabani Goredema was shown a straight red card for a clumsy challenge on Fackson Kadumbu.

Chicken Inn’s next game is on Saturday against Tanzanian champions Azam, who played to a 1-1 draw with Zesco yesterday.

Teams

Chicken Inn: Pride Zendera, Passmore Bernard, Devine Lunga, Ben Nyahunzvi, Moses Jackson, Brian Juru (Thabani Goredema, 70th minute), George Majika (Bhekimpilo Ncube, 66th minute), Physwell Madhazi (Canaan Nkomo (71stminute), Obidiah Tarumbwa, Mitchelle Katsvairo (Ishmael Lawe, 65th minute), Raphael Kutinyu (Guide Goddard, 80thminute)

Zanaco: Toaster Nsabata, Lee Ngoma, Fackson Kadumbu, Aaron Katebe, Ziyo Tembo, Richard Kasonde, Ernest Mbewe (Augustine Mulenga, 39th minute, Faith Sakala, 68th minute), Boyd Musonda (Logic Ching’andu, 58th minute), Fashion Sakala, Aubrey Funga (Dave Daka, 79th minute), Rodrick Kabwe