Chicken Inn stun Dynamos 1-0 to end Cioaba run in Premiership

Thulani Joseph scored from about 40 metres as Chicken Inn defeated Dynamos 1-0 in the Zimbabwe Premiership, ending coach Aritsica Cioaba’s unbeaten league run. The result also gave Chicken Inn a league double over the Harare club after their 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture.

Joseph settled the match in the second half after noticing Dynamos goalkeeper Idrissou Nfor positioned away from his goal. The Chicken Inn midfielder attempted the long-range effort and found the net, producing the only goal of the game.

The victory moved Chicken Inn on from a difficult period that included exits from both the Chibuku Super Cup and the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup. They were eliminated by Highlanders on penalties in the Chibuku Super Cup before Ngezi Platinum ended their run in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.

Joseph’s goal was his second in the league this season. He had opened his account against Triangle United, and the strike against Dynamos gave him a decisive contribution in a result that helped Chicken Inn respond after their cup disappointments.

Dynamos remain on 46 points, 11 behind leaders Scottland, with seven matches still to play. The defeat therefore leaves them facing a sizeable gap at the top of the Premiership as the season enters its final stretch.

Chicken Inn have now won three of their last five league matches. Joseph said the result reflected the work he had been putting in and carried added significance because it came against a major club, while the team’s priority was to secure the win.