Gamecocks rule the roost

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CHICKEN Inn coach Joey Antipas added another feather in his cap and was the happiest man in the domestic Premiership at the weekend after leading the Gamecocks to their first championship title and his second with different club. Antipas, who has had coaching attachments in the last five years with top European sides like Borussia Dortmund of Germany, Danish outfit Brondby and German second tier football club VfL Bochum, believes the knowledge he gained has given him an edge over his counterparts.

The former Warriors coach revealed yesterday he has now set his sights on finishing the season with a league and cup double after reaching the last four of the NetOne Easycall Cup. Chicken Inn beat Harare City 3-1 at Luveve on Saturday to seal this year’s league championship, with one match remaining.

Their nearest rivals in the race, FC Platinum, were held to a 1-1 home draw by CAPS United which meant that, for the first time in five seasons, there will be no last day drama to decide the destiny of the championship. The Gamecocks hit the unassailable 58-point mark after they had gone into the weekend matches with a two-point advantage in a tight race.

This will be Antipas’ second title in his career after achieving the same feat with a modest Motor Action side in 2010. Antipas is set to be crowned together with his trusted lieutenants in assistant coach Prince Matore and players Bheki Ncube, Passmore Bernard and the ageless midfielder Clement Matawu, who moved with him from that successful Mighty Bulls class.

“It’s a great feeling to win the championship again. “It was a result of hard work and passion. I love what I do as a coach. I always want the players to view me as a role model. It was all about confidence and making the players believe in themselves,” said Antipas.

“It’s good for the people of Bulawayo who had been starved of the championship for nine years. And again it’s good for the Chicken Inn institution to get something like this for all their industry and dedication to the game of football.

“They have been in the league for five years and now here is something to show for it. Everyone did his bit from the supporters, the players, the technical team and the club’s leadership and we all feel we deserve this.

“The boys should be enjoying the fun in the sun. But the season is not over yet. We will try hard to focus on the NetOne Easycall Cup. It’s definitely a chance to end the season on a double.”

With this feat, the Gamecocks broke the dominance by Harare giants Dynamos who had won the title for the last four years. And refreshingly, they have rekindled the passion among the Bulawayo folks by taking the championship back to the City of Kings for the first time since 2006 when Highlanders, then under the guidance of Methembe Ndlovu, last won the league.

Antipas said the Gamecocks were rewarded for their work ethic and business approach to the game. In his own words, it was not all smooth sailing. But through unity of purpose and sheer determination they managed to achieve their ambition in the face of the strong competition from FC Platinum who had a brilliant second half to the season and defending champions Dynamos. Both teams are now tied on 54 points, four behind Chicken Inn.

Dynamos were hoping to stage an ambush, as they have done over the years, and they beat Chapungu 2-0 at home on Saturday. The win, however, counted for nothing following the Gamecocks’ victory over Harare City. Chicken Inn had experienced a slump in form recently and were winless in their three previous matches. Nevertheless, Antipas’ men made amends with goals from George Majika, Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Mitchelle Katsvairo while Talent Chawapihwa got the consolation for Harare City.

“I knew we had to bounce back after failing to win in those three games. The tension was getting too much. But then we had two games to decide our destiny. I am happy we did it with one game to spare. “I’m quite relieved. This will definitely take away the pressure in our last match at Flame Lily,” said Antipas. Their match against Flame Lily has been rendered a dead rubber as the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services side was relegated yesterday.

In fact, Gamecocks now need to prepare for the NetOne Easy Cup semi-finals whose draw takes place tomorrow in Harare. They will go into the hat with the three traditional giants CAPS United, Highlanders and Dynamos. Antipas also hinted on the Champions League. “It will be great to represent the country in the Champions League next year. We just need to get the permission from our bosses first.

“We will need to remain together. Of course, changes may be needed to strengthen the team here and there but basically the core of our team should be intact,” Antipas said.