dyton mupawaenda
Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
TWO-TIME Castle Lager Premiership title-winning coach Joey Antipas is determined to turn back the hand of time as he returns to guide f0rmer champions Chicken Inn in the battle for honours in the upcoming 2024 league season.
After spending one year on the sidelines, Antipas feels rejuvenated and ready to challenge for the title he won in 2010 with Motor Action and in 2015 as Chicken Inn’s head coach. The gaffer was forced to sit on the sidelines last year after ZIFA had barred all coaches without CAF A License from sitting on the bench as head coaches of topflight teams, as part of the CAF standardization programme.
The rule has since been relaxed and Antipas finds himself back in contention and with more determination to succeed.
“I would say I am hungry for success. I have been away from the dugout for one season. I missed it and I’m glad to be back definitely I want to chase honours. I know that competition will be very tight but I want to chase, I want to give it my all,” said Antipas.
Antipas served as technical director at Chicken Inn last year with his prodigy Prince Matore running the show.
But the Gamecocks turned to Antipas again after failing to finish in the top four for the first time since 2015 when they won their only league title under the veteran former Zimbabwe coach.
“Last season I played more of the role of the technical director,” said Antipas.
“I didn’t get too much involved in the coaching side of it, but I was advising the coaches. I thought that we didn’t do too bad because new coaches were coming in and new players as well.
“So it took some time for the team to get going but for me, it’s good to be back in the office. You know when you are part of the game, you miss the game, especially in the dugout.
“So I am happy to be back and all I can do is give my best and hopefully we can change our fortunes around and have a good season.”
Chicken Inn finished seventh last season. They managed 11 wins, 16 draws, and seven defeats and in the process amassed 49 points, 17 adrift from eventual champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The Gamecocks have been busy with the pre-season preparations and recently they conducted a three-day bonding camp held at Matobo National Park where Antipas emerged confident of his charges and the fight they anticipate to give in the league marathon.
“We always want to win games. As a coach, if you can win games every week, it will be brilliant. But you know football being football you cannot win every game.
“But one for sure is that we will be up there, we are going to be firing away. Our pre-season has been good. I thought we brought in some good players who will bring value to the team and all I can say is that we will be there fighting.
“To predict our season, all the teams have beefed up so we will be expecting heavy competition. But we will be there,” said Antipas. To bolster their squad, the Gamecocks reunited with former club captain Danny “Deco” Phiri, Innocent Mucheneka, and utility player Brendon Rendo.
They also managed to lure Joseph Tulani from CAPS United and pint-sized Elshaamar Farasi who thrived on loan at Highlanders from Bulawayo Chiefs last season.
They also added striker Brighton Makopa from Hwange, ex-Dynamos and CAPS United defender Brandon Mpofu, and goalkeeper Issah Ali. The Gamecocks however lost midfield kingpin Richard Hachiro to champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and Shepherd Mhlanga to former champions FC Platinum.
“Richard for me is a big loss but I have replaced him with another very good player and I have also brought in a couple of other good players and I can see that the team is beginning to balance.
“It’s beginning to take shape. So we just have to give 100 percent in every game we have to play, especially if we want to win honours. So, we are up for it,” said Antipas.
Chicken Inn retained the services of goalkeepers Donovan Bernard and Pride Zendera, defenders Dominic Jaricha, Nelson Ketala, Dumoluhle Lunga, Vincent Moyo, Itai Mabunu, Arthur Chinda, and club captain Xolani “Lolo” Ndlovu.
Other seasoned players who committed to the club are skillful George Majika, Marlvin Hwata, Genius Mutungamiri, hard-running Brian Muza, and last year’s Soccer Star of the Year finalist Michael Charamba. The Gamecocks will open their campaign against giants CAPS United this weekend.
Online Reporter