BULAWAYO - A last gasp equaliser from super substitute George Majika rescued hosts Chicken Inn from the jaws of defeat against Highlanders in a well-fought out 1-1 draw in a Castle Premiership encounter here yesterday.
The former Plumtree Chiefs midfielder struck four minutes into added time to cancel out a spectacular first half strike by Highlanders striker Ozias Zibande and ensure a share of the spoils.
Zibande had thrust Highlanders into the lead after he volleyed home a Bruce Kangwa cross on 28 minutes.
The Bosso goal scorer could have come away with a goal harvest had he been able to match his industry with a killer instinct in front of goal as he created numerous opportunities for himself throughout the match.
That failure to get an assurance goal by Zibande and his teammates came back to bite Highlanders after Majika scored with just a minute of injury time left on the clock.
Majika benefited from a poor clearance by Highlanders keeper Munyaradzi Diya who had done well to cut off a quick counter by Chicken Inn only to botch his clearance which fell for Majika who gratefully chipped into an unguarded net.
Highlanders technical manager Kelvin Kaindu was disappointed with the result which meant his charges have dropped points in two consecutive matches at Barbourfields.
"It’s unfortunate to give away points like we did today, we thought we had wrapped it up but then we lacked the mental strength to hold on until the end and I think we lacked concentration when the crowd was singing and cheering," Kaindu said.
The Zambian coach added that one positive thing that came from yesterday's game was that their goal had come from the boot of a striker.
His Chicken Inn counterpart Joey Antipas expressed gratitude to his charges for fighting to the end.
"I thought overall our game was not too bad but the one thing we lacked was creativity.
"We were over anxious and as a result we gave the ball away cheaply but at least we kept on fighting and when Highlanders defenders went off to sleep we punished them," Antipas said.
The former Motor Action coach was full of praise for Majika who he said has a very bright future.
Majika was instrumental in the Gamecocks' recovery in their last home game when they came back from two goals down to share the spoils with FC Platinum.
Chicken Inn: Liberty Chirava, Moses Jackson (Passmore Bernard, 72m), Brian Mbiriri, Charles Mutero, Ben Nyahunzvi, Danny Phiri, Thabani Goredema, Canaan Nkomo (Ishmael Lawe, 46m), Bhekimpilo Ncube (George Majika, 61m), Clemence Matawu, Tendai Mukambi.
Highlanders: Munyaradzi Diya, Simon Munawa, Bruce Kangwa, Felex Chindungwe, Dumisani Ndlovu, Erick Mudzingwa, Welcome Ndiweni (Charles Sibanda, 57m), Kuda Mahachi, Knox Mutizwa (Rahman Kutsanzira, 65m), Ozias Zibande, Milton Ncube (Joel Ngodzo, 77m).