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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
BARELY 48 hours after the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League ended, Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas says he has already identified three players whom he wants to bring in and improve his squad for next season.
Antipas’ bold statement, two days after the Castle Lager Premiership closed, could be the gaffer’s brave intent to contend for the title.
He says he will play his cards close to his chest as he anticipates to get the three signatures.
The Gamecocks were left to settle for second place having started the season as favourites.
Antipas, who has a couple of aging players in his side could not be drawn to comment on the future of Moses Jackson (42), Guide Goddard (34), Passmore Bernard (35), who are in the twilight of their careers.
“We need to improve the team by introducing a couple of players. The team is there but we need to improve in a couple of positions,” said Antipas.
“We have been trying to revolutionise the squad. If you look at the squad now we have younger players and they have been coping well.
“We have a couple of players next season, those young players will have to stand up and be counted.
“We have identified three players that we are chasing. We don’t need to change the squad too much.
“We just need to bring one or two faces that will bring value to the team and will help the team,” said Antipas.
He also applauded FC Platinum for their consistency which was the reason for winning their fourth league title.
“FC Platinum has been consistent. They had a slow start but once they hit the ground running they were unstoppable they deserve the championship because of their consistency,” he said.
There were times when things were great at the Gamecocks. Chicken Inn started the season with a new system that saw them line up in a 3-5-2 formation that saw them go on an eight game unbeaten run – winning six and managing two stalemates.
The Gamecocks had a back-three, consisting of Itai Mabunu, Jackson and Nelson Ketala. The wingbacks were Xolani Ndlovu on the left and Michael Charamba on the right side.
Their central midfield was occupied by new acquisition Richard Hachiro, who formed the base with Shepherd Mhlanga, while Bret Amidu played behind the strike force duo of Malvin Hwata and Brian Muza.
However, injuries to the likes of Hachiro, Charamba, Mabunu and Mhlanga during the campaign ruined what looked to be a difficult system to beat.
Online Reporter