Ex-Chicken Inn player gets league gold medal in Slovakia

FORMER Chicken Inn fringe player Bravie Ayanda Sibanda who now plies his trade in Slovakia’s Third League side for OFK Baník Lehota pod Vtácnikom is over the moon after they were crowned champions in the past weekend.

Vtácnikom beat Gabacikovo for the top gong with 61 points.

The latter amassed a total of 53 points while Crystal finished on position three with 52 points.

In an interview from his base in Slovakia an ecstatic Sibanda said he was looking forward to bigger snd more positive developments.

“I feel honoured as it is always great to be part of champions. It’s my first season here and I look forward to greater positive developments in Slovakia. It all came through teamwork and hard work that we endured throughout the season,” said the Sibanda.

The footie star joined OFK Baník Lehota pod Vtácnikom as a free agent from Swaziland’s Premiership side Tambankulu Callies on a one-year contract with an option to renew.

Sibanda said besides some language barrier experiences, he was feeling at home after he signed what he described as a lucrative deal.

“I should say the deal financially benefited me. Playing in Europe is better than playing in Africa. Football is always football and the language used in the game is the same so there is not much change. Here they speak Slovak with a few people that speak English meaning at times I tend to experience some language barrier challenges. I have however adapted well,” said the player who also briefly did duty for Swaziland’s Manzini Wanderers.

He said he was a regular member of his team and the league was very competitive.

“Its high intensity football as opponents don’t give each other so much space and as such there is little time to think on the next move,” said Sibanda.

In February, Sibanda scored a brace when OFK Baník Lehota pod Vtácnikom thumped OSK Trencianske Stankouce 4-1 before he struck once when his new paymasters walloped FC Banik 4-2.

During his days at Chicken Inn, Sibanda who turns 26 in July, struggled to command a starting place together with the combative duo of Ben Nyahunzvi and Phakamani Dube, leftback Nyasha Gurende and gritty Joe Nyabinde among others.

@FungaiMuderere.