CHICKEN INN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
SIMBA BHORA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)
CHICKEN Inn earned a deserved three points when they cruised past visiting Simba Bhora in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match they largely dominated at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The flu-stricken GameCocks, who had several players affected by illness, secured victory through an 18th-minute strike from Lynoth Chikuhwa.
Chikuhwa capitalised on a costly error by Simba Bhora goalkeeper William Thole inside the penalty area to fire home. Thole spilled a weak effort from Francis Mostafa into Chikuhwa’s path, and the 2024 Golden Boot winner finished clinically for the hosts. Mostafa provided the assist on his debut for Chicken Inn.
The first half belonged to Chicken Inn, who created several clear chances, while the visitors relied mainly on counter-attacks. Just after the restart, Simba Bhora had a chance to equalise when Harrison Masina made a solo run into the box, but he delayed his shot and eventually blazed it over the bar.
Four minutes before full-time, Chicken Inn nearly doubled their lead through Cameroonian forward Sefu Louisom, but Thole reacted well to punch his effort away for a corner.
The goalkeeper remained busy until the final whistle as the GameCocks pushed for a second goal. It was a confidence-boosting win for the flu-hit Chicken Inn ahead of their weekend clash against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.
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Coach Tonderai Ndiraya said the victory was hard-fought against a Simba Bhora side that came into the match on a three-game winning streak.
“It was a very difficult one. We were playing a team that is very high in confidence. They had won three games on the trot,” Ndiraya said, adding that Chicken Inn were also dealing with a flu outbreak in camp and were coming off a defeat against MWOS.
His opposite number, Mandla Mpofu, expressed disappointment with the result as his side prepares to host log leaders Caps United this weekend.
“This is the first time we have dropped three points on the road. We have been good travellers. We did not start well, especially in the first half. We were a bit sloppy and disjointed, and they [Chicken Inn] wanted it more,” Mpofu said.
