CHICKEN INN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0MWOS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .(1) 1
MWOS reclaimed the top spot on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log table, extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches after dismissing struggling Chicken Inn in a pacy game at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
The Lloyd Mutasa-coached side had been temporarily displaced from the top by reigning champions Simba Bhora, who played a draw with Green Fuel at Wadzanayi Stadium on Saturday.
Nigel Matinha scored a gem of a goal in the 37th minute, a powerful curler to the far post, beating goalkeeper Donovan Bernard all systems out from a Malvern Mudzuka's assist.
MWOS now lead the pack with 22 points, six wins and four draws, a good start to the season for top league debutants. Scottland are second with 19 points and are above Simba Bhora, with the same number of points, on goal difference.
Mutasa said Matinha's goal was top-notch.
"It was a great goal. The technique was there, the accuracy. It's one of the best goals I have seen so far. It was another tricky encounter. Playing against a seasoned side like Chicken Inn is not easy. The good part is that from the few chances that we created, we managed to score," Mutasa said.
Chicken Inn assistant coach Fungai "Tostao" Kwashi felt they were denied what looked like a clear penalty in the dying minutes of the game.
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"We didn't get the goals today. What we have to do is look forward, keep working hard and keep trying to find solutions. In situations like these, you need to be very careful with what you say. All I can say is we will keep working hard every day. But I felt we should have got a penalty," Kwashi said.
A penalty appeal by Chicken Inn 10 minutes before full time was dismissed by referee Owen Manhenda after substitute Brendon Rendo appeared to have been brought down inside the box.
Veremu could have put MWOS in the lead in the 28th minute, receiving a loose ball unmarked, but failed to make a quick decision to shoot and was dispossessed by a Chicken Inn defender.
As action swung to the other end two minutes later, Tinashe Mushaireni for Chicken Inn, hit the side netting, with MWOS goalkeeper Martin Mapisa a beaten man and the Gamecocks fans up in the air in celebration.
Musaireni got a free-kick after he was fouled just outside the penalty area in the 33rd minute and took it upon himself to execute, but his effort was blocked by the MWOS wall.
The second half, however, dropped in intensity, and in the 63rd minute, MWOS could have doubled their lead, but Mudzuka's shot inside the box was blocked by Chicken Inn defender Mpumelelo Bhebhe.
They threw everything at MWOS towards the end of the game. In the 86th minute, skipper Xolani Ndlovu attempted a long-range grounder, which was safely collected by Mapisa.
Chicken Inn have one win in 10 games with six draws and suffered their third defeat yesterday. They have nine points.
