Gameocks beat Dynamos for Issah Ali’s signature

FORMER Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn have beaten Dynamos to the signature of imposing goalkeeper Issah Ali.

Ali, who was formerly with Yadah FC where he worked under DeMbare head coach Genesis Mangombe, was in the books of Bulawayo Chiefs last year.

“I can confirm that we have signed Ali. He is a good goalkeeper who I think can help us. We are now with him with all the hope that he will also improve,” said Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas. Ali has been heavily linked with a move to Dynamos. Antipas, a veteran gaffer, also revealed that they have managed to get the signature of pintsized ex Highlanders and Bulawayo City midfielder Elshaamar Farasi on a season’s loan deal.

“It’s a done deal, Farasi is now with us on a loan deal. He is a good player that we have been monitoring. He has come on board and we are looking forward to see him fight with others for a starting place,” said Antipas.

Farasi, a gifted attacking midfielder that is endowed with speed, good ball control, trickery, visionary play and ability to fire thunderbolts from a distance despite his small body frame, has in the past few weeks been part of the Gamecocks pre-season workouts together with other trialists. Club sons Danny ‘Deco” Phiri and Innocent Mucheneka, Brighton Makopa and Brendon Rendo who were both previously with Hwange have reportedly all clinched deals with the Simbisa Brands. Ex-CAPS United’s Joseph Thulani and youthful defender Brandon Mpofu who was formerly with Dynamos have also landed at Gamecocks. In their midfield department, Gamecocks have already lost the services of Richard Hachiro, Shepherd Mhlanga and Clive Dzingai.

Hachiro signed for defending league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and Mhlanga is now in the books of FC Platinum.

Dzingai is now a free agent.

As if that is not enough, Antipas recently revealed that they will be compelled not to register their gifted midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu for the first half of the forthcoming2024 season after the player suffered a broken nose.

“I don’t think Kutinyu will be ready for the season’s kick off so we will see what we will do with him. We will not register him for the first half of the season because he has fitness issues. He also had a nose injury, he now wears a facial mask. He is also missing out on pre-season which is a vital thing. Once he trains and progresses well, we will bring him in for the second half of the season,” said Antipas.

Gamecocks have managed to retain the services of goalkeepers Donovan Bernard and Pride Zendera, defenders Dominic Jaricha, Neilson Ketala, Dumoluhle Lunga, Vincent Moyo, Itai Mabunu, Arthur Chinda and club captain Xolani ‘Lolo’ Ndlovu.

Other seasoned players that have committed to the club are skillful George Majika, Malvin Hwata, Genius Mutungamiri, hard running Brian Muza and last year’s Soccer Star of the Year finalist Michael Charamba. -@FungaiMuderere