BY KEVIN MAPASURE IN RUSAPE
Black Rhinos . . . . (1)2
Chicken Inn . . . . . (0) 1
BLACK RHINOS fine form under new coach Stanford ‘Stix’ Mutizwa continues after dismissing an off-colour Chicken Inn in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Vengere Stadium in Rusape.
Rhinos who have turned Vengere into their fortress scored through an Eli Ilunga’s 32nd-minute penalty and benefitted from a Tafadzwa Kutinyu own goal in the second half.
The Gamecocks responded through a 66th-minute Passmore Bernard goal.
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The army side had the upper hand in the first half and restricted the visitors in their half as they an attack after attack.
Six minutes into the game they won a free kick just outside the box and skipper Farai Banda’s resultant attempt went over the bar.
The visitor’s defender Vincent Moyo cost his side when his dangerous tackle on Christopher Brighton inside the box in the 32nd minute resulted in referee Brighton Chimene pointing to the spot.
Congolese import Ilunga took the responsibility and sent Bernard Donovan in goals for the visitors the wrong way.
Chicken Inn came back from the halftime break a resurgent side following the introduction of Clive Augusto, Bret Amidu and George Majika as they brought in some flair to the visitors’ attack.
However, for all their efforts, they could not breach the Rhinos’ defence. Instead, it was Rhinos who stretched their lead when Kutinyu failed to deal with a Banda cross and directed it into his own nets.
The own goal did not dampen the visitors as they kept probing and were duly rewarded in 66th minute when Bernard showed some class by rounding of two markers in the box before releasing a powerful shot past Stanely Chakwama who was making a rare appearance for the home side.
Mutizwa was elated by his side’s performance and hailed his charges for defeating the title aspirants.
“The boys did well. Chicken Inn are a big team in the league and we did well to contain them. We are getting on well with my boys and we hope to maintain this form, he said.
Joey Antipas was livid and claimed his team lost due to the state of the pitch.
“This pitch is not suitable for PSL games. It is hardy and bumpy. All the goals we conceded were a result of the pitch. We could not play our normal game and we resorted to kick and rush football, he said.