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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn believe their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title quest is being driven by their ability to score and defend slender score lines.

The Gamecocks have the most watertight backline and goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze has only conceded nine goals in 23 matches.

At the weekend, the 2015 champions edged Hwange 1-0 in their typical “smash and grab” fashion to record their 11th 1-0 win of the season.

It was captain Moses Jackson, who scored the priceless first-half goal, rising high to turn in Obidiah Tarumbwa’s beautifully delivered corner kick.

They protected their lead to take their points tally to 48, two ahead of second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars, who hammered out of sorts Highlanders 3-0.

Julius Ndlovu, Chicken Inn’s assistant coach, said their defence and ability to convert chances has been their strength.

“We’ve been sharp in front of goal, scoring in almost every game. I think that ability to convert half chances and defending our goal has been key to our good run. We’ve also not conceded many goals,” said Ndlovu.

The wins have instilled self-belief in the players, who now believe the title is theirs to lose.

Chicken Inn face stiff competition from Ngezi and Dynamos, who are heavily breathing on their neck, as the championship race slowly enters the home straight.

Innocent Mucheneka, who has had a marvellous season, said they are focused on maintaining top spot until the end of the season.

“We are focused on maintaining our position now that we are on top. We know what we want to achieve and we have to be consistent and keep on grinding results even in difficult games. The 1-0 wins are good for us,” Mucheneka said.

Ngezi bounced back from a 0-3 loss to Caps United to pile more misery on Highlanders to keep their title hopes alive.

A goal by Terrence Dzukamanja and brace by Tichaona Mabvura handed the struggling Bulawayo giants their third consecutive defeat.

Former champions Dynamos gave their fans more reason to believe that 2017 could be their year by completing a double over Yadah FC, beating the league debutants 2-0, courtesy of Ocean Mushure and Christian Epoupa strikes.

Another title contender FC Platinum grinded a 1-0 win over struggling Black Rhinos, who have now gone on a seven-match losing streak. Rodwell Chinyengetere scored the goal that won the Zvishavane side maximum points.

Results
Saturday: FC Platinum 1-0 Black Rhinos, Chapungu 0-0 Caps United, ZPC Kariba 2-1 Harare City, Chicken Inn 1-0 Hwange, Ngezi Platinum 3-0 Highlanders

Yesterday: Bantu Rovers 1-3 How Mine, Triangle United 3-1 Bulawayo City, Tsholotsho FC 2-1 Shabanie Mine, Dynamos 2-0 Yadah FC

Table

P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
Chicken Inn     23     15     3     5     25     9     16     48
Ngezi Platinum Stars     23     14     4     5     42     23     19     46
*Dynamos     21     14     3     4     36     16     20     45
FC Platinum     23     12     9     2     25     12     13     45
ZPC Kariba     23     11     5     7     24     18     6     38
How Mine     23     10     7     6     21     22     -1     37
Highlanders     22     9     5     8     20     21     -1     32
Black Rhinos     23     9     4     10     24     20     4     31
Triangle United     23     8     7     8     22     23     -1    31
Caps United     19     7     7     5     26     19     7    28
Bulawayo City     22     8     3     11     24     28     -4     27
*Chapungu     22     6     8     8     13     16     -3     26
Harare City     23     6     7     10     16     17     -1     25
Yadah FC     23     6     6     11     17     28     -11     24
Shabanie Mine     23     5     7     11     14     24     -10     22
Hwange     22     5     5     11     17     27     -10     20
Tsholotsho FC     23     2     9     12     13     32     -19     15
Bantu Rovers     22     3     3     16     20     43     -23     12

*match abandoned

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