BY HENRY MHARA/FORTUNE MBELE
Harare City (2) 2
Herentals (0) 1
Bulawayo Chiefs 1
Chicken Inn 2
HARARE City are back in contention for a place in the quarterfinals of the Chibuku Super Cup after first half goals from William Manondo and Clive Rupiya gave them a narrow win over a battling Herentals in a Group 1 clash at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
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After drawing their first three matches of the group, the Sunshine Boys were desperate to record their first win of the competition.
It didn’t take them much time to find the opening goal as “Mr Chibuku”, as Manondo is affectionately known because of his exploits in this competition, guided a Masukuta cross into the bottom left corner after just four minutes.
In a game of many chances, Rupiya doubled the lead on 44 minutes after receiving a pass from right-back Zvikomborero who did well to beat his marker before putting a good cross into the box as the Green Machine reaped their rewards for a dominant first half display.
Herentals were by far the better side in the second half and Tino Benza grabbed a goal back for his side on 75th minute with a toe-poked shot through the legs of Bizeki to ensure a nervy last 15 minutes for City.
The win took the Lloyd Chitembwe-coached side to second position in Group A with six points, one behind log leaders Dynamos who play Caps United in the Big Harare derby this afternoon.
It was back-to-back defeats for Herentals, who are bottom of the group with two points from a possible 12. They are out of the race for a quarterfinals ticket.
Meanwhile, at Babourfields Stadium Chicken Inn moved to seven points in Group 2 with a strong second half as they comfortably beat Bulawayo Chiefs.
Chiefs dominated the first half, but could not convert their dominance into goals. Chicken Inn started the second half strongly and within two minutes outstanding Mavin Gaki provided a low cross into the box, which seemed to take a deflection off Chiefs’ captain Malvin Mkolo as it rolled into the nets.
Five minutes later Chicken Inn sealed the points, when George Majika captalised on a mistake by Chiefs right back Felix Moyo to deliver another low cross for Gaki to easily slide the ball into the nets.
“We played well in the first half and the two counter attacks early in the second half let us down, but the team is progressing very well,” was the reaction of Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda after the match.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was happy with the win.
“It was a poor first half from us as Chiefs dominated, but in the second half we were better. If we get 10 points in this group, we will be fine to progress,” Antipas said after the match.
Chibuku Super Cup results & fixtures
Yesterday: Harare City 2-1 Herentals, Manica Diamonds 2-1 Black Rhinos, Bulawayo Chiefs 1-2 Chicken Inn.
Today: Yadah v ZPC Kariba (NSS, 11am), Cranborne Bullets v Tenax (Sakubva Stadium, 1pm), Highlanders v Bulawayo City (Barbourfields, 1pm), Caps United v Dynamos (NSS, 3pm).