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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
AMBITIOUS Premier Soccer League table-toppers Chicken Inn have set their sights on adding unheralded attacking midfielder Ishmael Wadi into their squad when the mid-season transfer window opens at the end of June.
Wadi, 22, has been in top form for his Southern Region Soccer League side Bulawayo Chiefs.
Having plucked a rough diamond in the form of the present PSL top goal scorer Edmore Chirambadare from Tsholotsho FC when they were in the First Division last season, the Gamecocks are hoping Wadi becomes another good buy as they move to fortify their championship ambitions.
Chicken Inn’s gaffer Joey Antipas confirmed his interest in Wadi.
“It’s true that we’ve been monitoring Wadi’s performance in the Southern Region Soccer League and I must say he fascinates me. He is quick and skilful, something that I need in my squad. We need to strengthen our attack during the window so that we have more options,” said Antipas.
The championship winning coach with Motor Action in 2010 believes that there are exceptionally talented players in lower divisions.
“We want at least two players for our attack. We know we can get good players in the lower leagues that are eager to make a break in the Premiership. Look at Chirambadare, he is enjoying his stay at Chicken Inn and has probably opened other teams’ eyes that there is talent out there. You just need to give yourself time to scout for talent and avoid recycling players,” said Antipas.
Wadi can play either as a winger or just behind the strikers.
Should a move to the Gamecocks materialise for the Bulawayo Chiefs player, he will compete for a starting place with Raphael Kutinyu, who is on loan from Bantu Rovers, Toto Banda, George Majika and Chirambadare.
Wadi joined Bulawayo Chiefs at the beginning of the season from Black Mambas and made an immediate impact.
Dumisani Mantula-Sibanda, the Bulawayo Chiefs’ spokesman said no club had made formal inquiries for their players.
“We’ve been seeing PSL club officials coming to our games and have heard through the grapevine that they are interested in Wadi but there is nothing official. If any club wants our player, they can approach us because we have an open door policy. If the player’s welfare is covered and our needs are met, then there is no reason for us to deny the player an opportunity to improve elsewhere,” Mantula said.
There are also unconfirmed reports that besides Chicken Inn, Highlanders and How Mine are also monitoring Wadi’s progress.
Last month Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu said they would only be signing players they felt would have an immediate impact in the team.
He declined to reveal the players that Bosso are monitoring.
Online Reporter