Chicken Inn may not be active in mid-season window

Joey Antipas

DESPITE rumours linking Highlanders midfielder Divine Mhindirira to Chicken Inn, the GameCocks head coach, Joey Antipas remains hesitant to make any additions during the mid-season window, which opens on July 1.

Antipas cites the difficulty in securing quality players during this time as a reason for his team’s potential inactivity, but declined to comment on Mhindirira’s possible transfer.

The Bosso midfielder’s contract ends on June 30, and he is also rumoured to be on Simba Bhora’s radar. “It is difficult to get quality players during the mid-season window and we may not be making any additions. However, we have several players returning from injury, which should be a boost for us,” said Antipas.

After a disheartening 3-0 loss to defending champions, Ngezi Platinum Stars, in Ngezi last weekend, the GameCocks will face Bikita Minerals next.

Antipas urged his team to play as a cohesive unit and eliminate errors against Bikita Minerals, who squeezed a point out of their 1-1 encounter with Highlanders on Sunday.

“We have to pick ourselves up and play together more as a team. In our last game, we made costly schoolboy errors and that is unacceptable at this level. It is now upon us to get our act together against a Bikita Minerals side that is difficult to beat,” said Antipas.

Several players, including Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Vincent Moyo and Munashe Pini, will be returning from injury and could provide a much-needed boost to the team.

Kutinyu has recovered from a nose injury, while Moyo has been on treatment for a muscle spasm problem on his left foot. Left-footed defender, Nelson Ketala is still recovering from surgery on his right knee, but could potentially be registered for the second half of the season if he continues to progress well.

Chicken Inn has been fielding Itai Mabunu, club captain Xolani Ndlovu, young Arthur Chinda and new signing Lincoln Mangaira as defenders in Moyo’s absence. Dominic Jaricha, formerly with Bulawayo City, has played in fewer games as a centre-back. —@innocentskizoe