HIGHLANDERS FC . . .(0) 0
CHICKEN INN FC. . . . (0) 0
THE much-anticipated Bulawayo derby between Highlanders FC and Chicken Inn FC proved to be a drab affair, ending in a goalless draw at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday afternoon in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.
Both teams struggled to find rhythm and fluency throughout the game, with goal-scoring opportunities few and far between. Apart from a couple of early chances in each half, there was little to excite the fans.
Chicken Inn, nicknamed GameCocks, were without their top goalscorer Brighton Makopa. Brian Muza led the attack, supported by Michael Charamba, while Genius Mutungamiri and George Majika operated on the wings.
Highlanders, affectionately known as Bosso, made changes to their starting line-up, bringing in Hubert Ncube for Mason Mushore and Prince Ndlovu for Mafious Chiweta, who had scored in their recent 1-0 victory over Manica Diamonds.
Reason Sibanda was relegated to the bench.
Following the match, both coaches attributed the lack of excitement to the demanding schedule which saw them playing three matches in a week.
- Big send-off for Cont Mhlanga
- British Airways pilot jailed for lying about his flying experience on CV to get job
- Big send-off for Cont Mhlanga
- DEMBARE WIELD AXE ON NDIRAYA
Keep Reading
"We feel we have dropped two points. It wasn't going to be an easy game. We had two players injured and we had to replace them. Also, looking at playing three games in seven days and playing against Simba Bhora, Manica Diamonds, and Chicken Inn, the intensity was going to be high. Today, not much happened in terms of going forward, and we created few opportunities," said Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas echoed similar sentiments.
"It's a fair result. Both teams didn't deserve to win... It was a highly tactical game and Highlanders had more possession, though the match wasn't exciting. Playing three games in a week is difficult," Antipas commented.
Highlanders had the first significant chance in the fourth minute when right-back Mvelo Khoza's volleyed shot from outside the penalty box was tipped over the bar by Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.
In the seventh minute, Brian Muza nearly gave Chicken Inn the lead, connecting a Xolani Ndlovu cross inside the box, but his effort lacked precision and trickled wide.
The second half continued in much the same vein. In the 49th minute, Andrew Mbeba's free-kick narrowly missed the target after Prince Ndlovu was fouled just outside the box.
George Majika then attempted a moment of magic in the 53rd minute with a curling effort that went wide, seemingly troubling Highlanders' goalkeeper Reward Muza.
Never Rauzhi also had a chance in the 57th minute, latching onto a Brighton Ncube pass, but his first-time effort from an acute angle went over the bar.
Teams
Highlanders FC: R Muza, M Khoza, T Dube, B Mlotshwa, MC Mushore, M Ncube, B Ncube, A Mbeba, N Rauzhi, H Ncube, P Ndlovu
Chicken Inn FC: D Bernard, G Mutungamiri, B Muza, B Rendo, X Ndlovu, D Jaricha, I Mabunu, G Majika, M Charamba, M Bhebhe, L Mangaira.
