Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S a decade now since Chicken Inn won their first and only Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Championship.
The Gamecocks won the 2015 title under veteran gaffer Joey Antipas and provided the Soccer Star of the Year in Danny “Deco” Phiri.
Such was their dominance in 2015 that they had four players on the Soccer Stars of the Year calendar, namely Edmore Chirambadare, goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, Clemence Matawu and Phiri.
While the Bulawayo side went on to achieve a top-four finish from 2016 to 2022, the last two seasons have been a struggle.
They have been stagnant, to say the least, as they finished seventh in 2023 and 2024.
Prince Matore took charge in 2023 when Antipas was elevated to the post of technical director, but the veteran gaffer bounced back last season.
Sadly, Antipas could not improve Chicken Inn’s position on the log as the Gamecocks remained stuck on seventh.
The highly respected coach is still in charge of the 2015 champions and is confident Chicken Inn can bounce back and challenge for honours.
The closest Chicken Inn came to winning the title since the 2015 triumph was in 2019 and 2022, when they finished second behind FC Platinum.
The Gamecocks lost a number of players during the off season but Antipas is excited with the replacements.
Striker Malvin Hwata, who was the club’s top scorer in 2023 with 11 goals, has left for defending champions Simba Bhora.
Second-choice keeper Pride Zendera, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Albert Nyamutsaka, and Phiri have also waved goodbye.
However, Antipas believes some of his new signings, including the unheralded duo of Walter Vuwa and Tinashe Mashaireni, could turn the screws for Chicken Inn.
“These two are young and promising players,” says Antipas.
Vuwa, who turns 21 in May, joins the Gamecocks from former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars, while Mashaireni is a former Kwekwe United player.
“We are still concluding a couple more deals by kick-off for the 2025 season,” added Antipas.
The veteran gaffer remains optimistic, despite his team’s below-par performances in the last two seasons.
“We are looking forward to a good season.
“We just have to work as one and stay as one team. The good thing is we have managed to retain 80 percent of the squad from last year.”
Former Soccer Star of the Year finalist Michael Charamba, gangly centre back Itai Mabunu, Lincoln Mtungamiri, Elshamar Farasi, and Brighton Makopa are some of the players still at Chicken Inn.
