Antipas takes charge at Chicken Inn

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
NEW Chicken Inn head coach Joe Antipas yesterday conducted his first training session since taking over from Mandla Mpofu who threw in the towel early this week. Mpofu, who was thrust into the hot seat this year following the untimely death of the legendary Adam Ndlovu last December, resigned following a string of losses that saw the Gamecocks winning just a single match in the second half of the season. Mpofu’s assistant Mkhuphali Masuku was initially asked to take over on an interim basis before he too was sacked.

“Following the resignation of our head coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu on Sunday, we can officially announce that our assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku is no longer with us. Joey Antipas has officially joined us as the club’s head coach and he will be assisted by our former player Sikhumbuzo “China” Banda and Julius Ndlovu. We wish Mr Cooper well in his coaching career,” wrote the club on its official facebook page yesterday.

An excited Antipas said he was looking forward to a fruitful relationship with the Bulawayo side if the players’ morale yesterday was anything to go by.

“I have just finished my first training session and I must say that I am impressed by what I saw, the amount of enthusiasm shown by the boys was just great,” said the championship winning former national team assistant.

Antipas won the 2010 league title with Motor Action.
He said he would be assisted by former player Sikhumbuzo Banda and goalkeepers coach Julius Ndlovu until the end of the season.
“I will be with them until the season ends, after that we will wait to hear from the club,” said Antipas who ironically also threw in the towel at the Mighty Bulls when results were not coming.

Chicken Inn, winners of the season opener NetOne Charity Shield, are lying sixth on the log standings with 35 points and are still in with a mathematical chance of winning the league title.

Antipas’ first assignment will be away to relegation fighting Monomotapa over the weekend.
Fixtures:

Saturday: FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine (Mandava) SS9 , Motor Action v Black Rhinos (Motor Action Stadium), Caps United v How Mine ( National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro )

Sunday: Hwange v Black Mambas (Colliery ), Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields Stadium), Tripple B v Triangle (Dulibadzimu) Monomotapa v Chicken Inn ( Gwanzura).