Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT has been an indifferent start to the season for 2015 Castle Lager Premiership champions Chicken Inn and their poor form has left coach Joey “Mafero” Antipas under pressure, it could even cost him his job.
The Gamecocks remain winless after match-day 5 and Antipas is understood to be now living on borrowed time.
It has emerged that the former Motor Action coach has already been handed a three-match ultimatum turn the tide in Chicken Inn’s favour and garner nine points.
This directive is understood to have started with Chicken Inn’s home game against Herentals, which ended in a goalless draw at Luveve at the weekend.
It is now not clear whether the ex-Warriors gaffer will become the first coaching casualty of the 2025 season and Antipas acknowledged the heat that is on his head.
“This is not healthy at all, in previous seasons we always started well but this time it is different and it is not okay,” said Antipas.
“We have not won any games yet so a decent result is what we need now, we are working hard to change this pattern and start winning.”
Currently Chicken Inn sit 15th on the log table with four points to their name, out of a possible 15.
Now the Gamecoks must win to save their coach’s future.
This week they play Harare giants Dynamos at Rufaro, in a tricky fixture and against Lloyd Chigowe’s unpredictable rookies who are yet to lose at the old Mbare venue this year.
After Dynamos, Chicken Inn date champions Simba Bhora at Luveve in what promises an explosive battle as Antipas’ counterpart Joel Luphahla is also under immense pressure at the Shamva outfit.
Luphahla is also said to be sitting on an ultimatum at Simba Bhora.
He collected maximum points in his first task under the ultimatum and must keep the trend in Simba Bhora’s next two games.
“A win will give us some confidence going forward and this is what we need right now,” Antipas said.
“In football you win some, you lose some and I believe that with time we can overcome this imbalance’’.
Following the departure of some of his senior players during the offseason, Antipas brought in a couple of unheralded prospects for the 2025.
Tinashe Mashaineri and Edward Musena (Kwekwe United), and Kumbirai Nyamutenha (Chinhoyi Stars) were all signed from Division One.
Tadiwa Muchenje (Bulawayo Chiefs), Walter Vuwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars), and Aron Ngwenya (Arenel Movers) also came in.
They came in as replacements for Malvin Hwata, who is now at Simba Bhora; Albert Nyamusaka; Danny Phiri; Raphael Kutinyu; and goalkeeper Pride Zendera.
“The relative youthfulness of the team is also playing a role, the boys are still growing and finding their feet in the elite league.
“Nonetheless, we still have to put it right, you never know what a win can do for us.”
The Gamecocks have so far scored twice and conceded once.
Based on these statistics, their campaign has evidently been derailed by the team’s lack of offensive firepower.
With assistant coach Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi responsible for the Chicken Inn strike force, the team’s failure to score goals could also have a bearing on his future at the club.
“Our major problem is in the attack, goals are not coming and we need to try to get that right.
“It is only with goals that we can start winning games or at least grind meaningful draws that come with goals.”
Amid the gloom, Antipas notes a ray of hope.
There are some positives, he said, that the team can build on.
“The positives are that we are sound and solid in other departments which are the midfield and defence’’.
