adminThe ambitious Bulawayo club have roped in former Railstars coach and national Under-20 men’s team assistant Mandla ‘Lulu’ Mpofu into their technical team to deputise Adam Ndlovu who took over from Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube towards the end of last season.
Ndlovu and Mpofu were in charge of Chicken Inn’s training yesterday.
Players who trained with contracted Chicken Inn players in the morning session, which according to Ndlovu is for those that have since been short-listed, were former Hwange and FC Platinum striker Simon Njeleza.
Njeleza spent the better part of last season on the terraces at the Zvishavane club due to injury but has since recovered.
Many clubs have been after his signature, including Highlanders. He is one of the few players that Ndlovu is earmarking to beef up his squad.
Goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, Abraham Mbaiwa and Kevin “Skopo” Sibanda who turned out for Zimbabwe Saints last season also trained with the first team.
Mbaiwa and Sibanda might be direct right back replacements for Frank Mvula who sources said has since been offloaded and national Under-20 defender Morris Kadzola who was registered for the Caf Confederation Cup by Motor Action.
Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League 2011 top goal scorer with 25 goals Lenience “Qobho” Mpofu, his skipper at Railstars last season Lindelani “Vice” Ncube and left-footed Julius Daudi followed their coach to Chicken Inn.
There were reports that the National Railways of Zimbabwe, sponsors of Railstars, were contemplating withdrawing funding and this might have forced players to seek greener pastures at other clubs.
Ncube is a central defender while Daudi can play as a left-back or at the left side of the midfield.
Former Bantu Rovers striker Mkhululi Moyo who spent last season at Monomotapa was also part of those that attended the morning session.
Utility player Moses Jackson who was a vital cog at the Central Region’s Division One Soccer League club Hardbody arrived at the training ground while the session was underway but did not participate.
Chicken Inn’s head coach Ndlovu said he would be off-loading a number of players to accommodate some of the faces that he has identified.
“Those that trained in the morning are those that we want to have a look at and possibly sign. We will be releasing some of the players that we had last season as we move towards beefing up the squad.
“The trials for those that intend to be part of the team will be held in the afternoon and that is where we are going to shortlist more players,” Ndlovu said.
He said some of the players from last season’s squad had other commitments and would be joining them before the end of the week.
Conspicuous absentees were Evans Chikwaikwai, Brian Mbiriri, Thomas Chimenya, Hebert Dick and Njabulo Nyoni.
Heritani Masuku and Daniel Zokoto were at the terraces with Guide Goddard, Thabani Goredema and Felix Chindungwe being some of the notable regular faces.
Online Reporter