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Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
Chicken Inn 2-0 Chapungu FC
A BRACE by Innocent Mucheneka inspired Chicken Inn FC to maximum points against Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Luveve Stadium yesterday.

Mucheneka put the home side ahead in the 32nd minute and doubled it in the 38th minute.

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 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 Clive Rupiya made a run on the right side, but his cut-back was met by a weak shot by Brighton Muganyi.

The second half provided nothing to write home about as both teams’ strikers kept firing blanks.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas said: “It’s good that we collected maximum points and that we did not concede. It was a solid display and Mucheneka was outstanding even though in the second half they tried getting to us. I’m happy that we got the three points.”

Chapungu coach Rodwell Dhlakama attributed his team’s poor performance to fatigue.

“It was a tough game after playing FC Platinum and getting on the road soon after. I think it was an issue of fatigue. We conceded soft goals,” said Dhlakama.

Teams
Chicken Inn: Pride Zendera, Xolani Ndlovu, Passmore Bernard, George Majika, Moses Jackson, Simon Munawa, Obriel Chirinda, Innocent Mucheneka (Joe Nyabinde 66th min), Nicole Mutatiwa (Darryl Nyandoro 83rd min), Nicholas Muchjadeyi, Last Sithole

Chapungu: Talbert Shumba, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Hilary Mugani, Blessed Mbavarira, Collen Kwaramba, Clive Rupiya, Emore Muzanenhamo, Philip Marufu, Brighton Mugoni (Osborne Mukuradare 51st min), Xolani Ncube (Allan Tavarwisa 66th min), Charles Mativenga.