Antipas praises resolute Bikita defence

AFTER watching his new-look side Chicken Inn squander a lot of chances in their first 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match of the season against Bikita Minerals that was played at Luveve Stadium on Saturday, Gamecocks head coach Joey Antipas praised the miners’ defence for standing resolute throughout the match.

Led by their captain Xolani “Lolo” Ndlovu, hard running striker Brian Muza, skilful new signings Miguel Fieldman, Tadiwa Muchenje and Tinashe Mushaireni the Gamecocks looked poised to post a rugby scoreline against the visitors.

However, the Simbisa Brands sponsored outfit was denied their first full sets of points as the well organised Bikita Minerals defence could not give in.

Bikita Minerals goalkeeper, Tawanda Dendera was at his best.

“I’m very much happy with the way we played. It was a great team performance. We created numerous chances but we could not bury our chances. I would like to commend the Bikita Minerals defence. They really played well. We could have scored more goals but they played very well. We took the point but we needed more,” said Antipas.

Just like other PSL clubs, the Gamecocks recently engaged in a player recruitment exercise that saw them part ways with their former captain Danny “Deco” Phiri, long serving goal minder Pride Zendera and striker Malvin Hwata.

Among the seven new Gamecocks arrivals are ex Arenel Movers goal minder Aaron “Arusha” Ngwenya, ex Chinhoyi Stars player Kumbirai Nyamutenha, Muchenje who was formerly with Bulawayo Chiefs, Tinashe Mashaineri, Edward Musena (Kwekwe United), Walter Vuwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars) and Vincent Mugande who was snatched from Southern Region Division One side DRC United.

Despite the goalless draw, Bikita Minerals coach Wilson Mutekede, a former Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) technical director, was pleased with his team’s performance, although he acknowledged they could have come out with three points.

“Obviously, if you look at the proceedings of the game in terms of chances created, we thought we could have wrapped up the game. But look, it’s the beginning of the season. We are still getting to understand each other and trying to make the combinations. We are happy to have grabbed a point,” said Mutekede.— @FungaiMuderere.