Chicken Inn hunt for Jackson replacement

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn have started preparing for life after the second oldest player in the Premier Soccer League, Moses Jackson, with the Gamecocks in the hunt for a central defender.

Jackson, who turned 41 years old in April, is nine years younger than Herentals striker and benefactor Innocent Benza who turned 50 in May and is likely to be in action this afternoon when his side takes on FC Platinum in a Chibuku Super Cup semi-final at Mandava Stadium.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas said they will not make wholesome changes to their squad for the 2023 season as they are already looking at making at least two additions to beef up their team. Antipas, who was disappointed that his team collapsed in the championship race midway through the season having had started on well, wants to “inject new blood” so that they can challenge for the title next year.

“The season is about to end and we’re already looking at how we can inject new blood seeing that the likes of Mosee (Moses Jackson) have played their part. We need fresh faces who will be joining us for next season. The team is there, we just need two or three new faces.

We intend to bring in a centre back and one or two midfielders. Upfront, I feel we’re ok,” said Antipas.
Antipas wants his side to finish the season strongly and with his team already out of the title race as leaders FC Platinum just need two points from four games to wrap-up the championship, the Chicken Inn coach will give fringe players game time.

Already, 21-year-old right back Arthur Chinda, a product of Chicken Inn’s developmental side has featured prominently in their last matches, seemingly taking over from veteran Passmore Bernard. Chicken Inn are already preparing for life after their 42-year-old captain Jackson, with Antipas now preferring the Itai Mabunu and Vincent Moyo central defence partnership.

About their title miss, Antipas said: “We’re definitely disappointed that we slipped in the title race, lost crucial points at home. I think we lacked character and didn’t come to the party as we failed to rise to the occasion. We made elementary blunders, but as we head towards the end of the season, we need to end strongly and raise our confidence,” said Antipas.

The home results that Antipas felt let them down were the 3-3 draw against Manica Diamonds, the 0-0 draw with Herentals, another share of spoils with Yadah (1-1) and the identical 3-0 heavy home defeats to FC Platinum and Dynamos.
Antipas also feels that the shock 3-0 away defeat to bottom side Whawha derailed their title hopes. – Follow on Twitter @ZililoR