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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn FC have started beefing up their squad in preparation for next season by signing Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League top goalscorer Edmore Chirambadare from Tsholotsho FC and Chiredzi’s Marlvin Gaki.
The move, described by Gamecocks’ chairman Lifa Ncube as “beating the off and pre-season rush,” has also seen the Bulawayo based fast-foods sponsored outfit engaging in contract extensions with some of their senior players.
According to sources, Chirambadare who has 12 goals, signed for Chicken Inn after his team’s 2-1 away win against Black Boots where he scored a brace with the Gamecocks’ coach Joey Antipas and their club secretary Tawengwa Hara scouting for talent at Fairbridge.
The club is also said to have been impressed by 22-year-old defensive midfielder Butholezwe “Ncue” Ncube and attacking linkman Ocean Ncube but couldn’t sign the duo because they have running contracts with Tsholotsho FC up to December 2015.
“Chirambadare has joined Chicken Inn on a two-year deal which he signed three weeks ago. He will be joining the squad in January and what impressed coach Antipas was his ability to take on defenders, off the ball runs and seeing him being used in many positions in one game. The club is in the process of engaging Tsholotsho FC with regards to Butholezwe and Ocean who are seen as vital cover for Danny ‘Deco’ Phiri who might be leaving should he get offers outside the country,” said a source.
Gaki, 21, who was lively when relegated Chiredzi played Highlanders a fortnight ago was in Bulawayo on Monday to seal his deal. “Just like Chirambadare, Gaki will be donning Chicken Inn’s jersey next season. There is also a youngster from the Division Two that the club is following,” the source added.
Tsholotsho FC secretary Melody Ndlovu said they are yet to get official communication from clubs interested in their players.
Chicken Inn’s chairman Ncube, was diplomatic in his response about the players that they have signed.
“We have just laid feelers about Gaki and Chirambadare to find out if they have contracts with their clubs after which we will approach their respective employers. Our focus is on younger players so that we give them exposure. We have also opened negotiations with senior players whose contracts are running out so that we are not involved in last minute rushes,” said Ncube.
Phiri, Mkhokheli Dube and Clemence Matawu are some of Chicken Inn’s senior players whose contracts expire at the end of the year.
The youngster that the Gamecocks are also keen on signing is Tinashe Makanda from Zim Leopards who are in the Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Division Two Soccer League. Zim Leopards is the club that Harare City forward Francesco Zekumbawire played for in the amateur league before making a PSL break when he joined Hwange.
“It is true that Chicken Inn FC have made an inquiry on Makanda who has 22 goals. Actually, we might be losing about four players — two defenders, a midfielder and Makanda who have had a brilliant season and so many teams are asking about them,” said Zim Leopards manager Leonard Sibanda.
Online Reporter