Newlook Gamecocks imminent

Fungai Muderere
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League defending champions Chicken Inn could be a totally new outfit in the second half of the season as moves of five of their regular players across the Limpopo River look imminent.

To compound the Gamecocksaï¿½ï¿½ problem, coach Joey Antipas could also be joining the bandwagon amid revelations the gaffer has attracted the attention of an unnamed South African National First Division (NFD) side which is keen on his services.

Unbeknown to this football loving nation , Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchell Katsvairo sneaked out of the country during the international football break period (21-29 March) to train with Absa Premiership side Kaizer Chiefs for a week,Aï¿½ only to come back home a day before Gamecocks met Dynamos in their seasonaï¿½ï¿½s opener that was played at Barbourfields Stadium.

aï¿½?While we wanted to keep it under wraps, it is true that Chirambadare and Katsvairo recently went for a week-long trial stint with Kaizer Chiefs. I think they did well and we are just waiting for feedback from Kaizer Chiefs. Letaï¿½ï¿½s stay in touch for new developments,aï¿½? said Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube.

An esteemed player agent, Gibson Mahachi, who is playing the role of middleman in the looming deal involving Chicken Inn and Kaizer Chiefs said: aï¿½?We got a positive feedback from Chiefs about the boys.Aï¿½ Generally, the boys did well and Chiefs are interested in Chirambadare and Katsvairo. As we speak we are working on something for the boys.aï¿½?

In their last trial training match against an unnamed Mzansiaï¿½ï¿½ s National First Division side which Chiefs won 2-0, the Gamecocks duo scored a goal apiece.

It does not end there on the Gamecocksaï¿½ï¿½ potential of losing more players to the lucrative Absa Premiership.

On Tuesday, Ncube confirmed that the trio of their gritty captain Danny aï¿½?Decoaï¿½? Phiri, holding midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu and striker Moses Demera had been invited for a seven-day trial stint by South Africaaï¿½ï¿½s topflight side Golden Arrows.

aï¿½?Our captain Danny Phiri together with Kutinyu and Moses Demera went for trials at Golden Arrows. While it will be a rare development for all of them to be signed by Arrows, as a club we believe we have enough reserve that can fit in their places with so much ease.aï¿½?

aï¿½?It is our policy as a club not to stand in any playeraï¿½ï¿½s way. If they do well we will let them join Golden Arrows. The invitation of the three players at one go by Arrows for trials shows that we are a strong side that does not rely on individual brilliance,aï¿½? added Ncube.

Coach Antipas has reportedly been targeted by a NFD club that is in the lead for promotion into the Absa Premiership league.

aï¿½?A National First Division side is keen to sign Antipas. They are very interested and have been impressed with what he has done in Zimbabwe and want him in South Africa. He could be leading the club in the ABSA Premiership as the side is chasing promotion. They want to bring him in June,aï¿½? added the source.

Clubs that are currently chasing promotion in Mzansiaï¿½ï¿½s First Division are Baroka FC, Highlands Park, Witbank Spurs and Milano United.

Asked if there was a football club from Mzansi that was hunting for his signature the soft spoken former Motor Action gaffer said: aï¿½?Well.., I cannot say much. That can be mere talk or rumours.aï¿½?

Indeed, a positive dismantling of Gamecocks seems to be at hand!