Mpumelelo basking in Chicken Inn colours

CHICKEN Inn FC centreback Mpumelelo Bhebhe has admitted that he is enjoying his first season as a Chicken Inn Football Club player.

He joined the club in the January transfer-window alongside fellow defence partner Dominic Jaricha, Leslie Lunga and Genius Mutungamiri from relegated Bulawayo City FC.

When he was given the chance to play his first match for the Gamecocks in their 0-0 draw with Sheasham at the beginning of the season, he never looked back.

“I can say that I am happy here at the moment, I knew coming here that there was going to be a lot of competition as the club has many good centrebacks who played well last season. I just focused on trying to make sure that I do well whenever I get the chance to play,” Bhebhe said.

He has featured in 17 matches for Chicken Inn and the team has managed to keep eight clean sheets in the games he has featured in.

The towering centreback also paid tribute to his previous teams EM Sports Academy, Bantu Rovers and Bulawayo City FC.

“Those three teams, especially EM Sports played a huge part in my career development. I’m still in contact with the coaches that taught me football from junior level going up,” said Bhebhe.

At the age of 16, Bhebhe was granted his first professional outing by former Premier League side Bantu Rovers when they played against Ngezi Platinum.

“I came into that match three minutes from its conclusion and touched the ball twice, it was the scariest three minutes of my life,” Bhebhe said.

He has since managed to develop and become one of the best centrebacks in the country as he has become a regular starter at Chicken Inn.

The 22-year-old also spoke of the players he looks up to both locally and internationally.

“Locally I am inspired by Peter Muduhwa and internationally, my role model is John Stones. I like the way both players are comfortable with the ball at their feet, and how they are able to contribute to their teams’ attacks, scoring goals and making assists.”

Bhebhe fully introduced himself to top flight football at Bulawayo City, where he was used as a regular starter by former coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube and Farai Tawechera.

The Gamecocks will take on Sheasham at Luveve Stadium this Saturday.
Bhebhe will be eager to start the second round of league matches with his consistent form.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Weekend Fixtures:

Greenfuel vs Yadah, FC Platinum vs Simba Bhora, Ngezi Platinum vs Bulawayo Chiefs, Black Rhinos vs Cranborne Bullets, Chicken Inn vs Sheasham, ZPC Kariba vs Highlanders, Manica Diamonds vs Caps United, Herentals vs Triangle, Dynamos vs Hwange