Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN search of better fortune, Chicken Inn head coach, Joey Antipas, has revealed that the club is considering a switch from Luveve Stadium to Barbourfields Stadium, as they look to revive their stuttering 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign.
After 12 rounds of play, the Gamecocks have been inconsistent and are yet to register a win at home.
“We’re just not taking advantage of playing at home. So, we have to sit down and see what plan we can come up with.
Maybe if we move to Barbourfields Stadium, it might change our fortunes, because we are struggling at Luveve,” said Antipas.
The veteran coach also hinted at reinforcing the squad during the upcoming mid-season transfer window, especially in attack.
“When the window opens, we’ll try to bring in a couple of new faces. Particularly in the striking department, we’re not doing well. At times, we rush our passes and hurry everything. We need composure. Football being what it is, we are struggling where we should be strong at home,” he added.
In a recent development, Chicken Inn reassigned their assistant coach, Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi, to lead the club’s Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two side.
Kwashi, who joined the Gamecocks’ senior technical setup early last year from CAPS United following the departure of Prince Matore, was not on the bench during the team’s recent 1-0 loss to Green Fuel.
Sources within the club say Kwashi will now focus on developing talent with the club’s lower-tier side, which has been under the guidance of Nkosana “Sancho” Gumbo and Ben Nyahunzvi. The pair has also been mentoring the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 squads.
Club secretary general Tavengwa Hara, remained tight-lipped about the reassignment, saying: “The club will soon release a statement regarding any structural adjustments happening across our junior and senior teams.”
Chicken Inn has managed just two wins, six draws and four defeats from their 12 matches, accumulating only 12 points. Their victories have both come on the road, against Dynamos and Kwekwe United.
Their home form has been particularly concerning, with six matches yielding no wins.
The Gamecocks’ results so far are:
Chicken Inn 0–1 Green Fuel
Kwekwe United 2–4 Chicken Inn
Chicken Inn 0–1 MWOS
Chicken Inn 0–0 TelOne
Manica Diamonds 1–1 Chicken Inn
Chicken Inn 0–1 Simba Bhora
Dynamos 0–1 Chicken Inn
Chicken Inn 0–0 Herentals
ZPC Kariba 1–0 Chicken Inn
Chicken Inn 1–1 FC Platinum
Yadah Stars 0–0 Chicken Inn
Chicken Inn 0–0 Bikita Minerals
“It’s disappointing. We’ve been struggling at home,” admitted Antipas.
Catch the Gamecocks in Action Live on ZTN Prime
Don’t just read about Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action, watch it live on our sister channel, ZTN Prime (Channel 294 on DStv).
This Friday, we’re live from Rufaro Stadium as Chicken Inn travel to face newcomers Scottland, in a match that could mark a turning point for Antipas and his men.
On Saturday, the action heads to the South East Lowveld, where Green Fuel host league pace-setters MWOS at the Green Fuel Sports Arena.
We round off the weekend on Sunday with Triangle United welcoming Manica Diamonds at Gibbo Stadium.
Our PSL broadcast coverage begins at 2:30PM. Make a date with Zimbabwean football, only on ZTN Prime.
