Not retiring yet: Deco ‘My legs can still carry me’

Fungai Muderere

FOLLOWING his release by Chicken Inn ahead of the start of the 2025, the club’s former captain Danny “Deco” Phiri believes his legs can still carry him.

Phiri (35), a veteran of many football battles, retraced his steps to Gamecocks last year after one season at Bulawayo Chiefs.

He joined Amakhosi Amahle after he had parted ways with South Africa’s Golden Arrows, a club he joined after he was exported by Gamecocks in 2016 and he amassed 97 games for Abafana Bes’thende across all competitions in his defensive midfield role.

“It’s true that I am no longer with Chicken Inn and in that regard I’m in the process of hunting for a club.

I believe my legs can still carry me. The feeling is that I was supposed to retire but I think I can still play for two more seasons and call it a day. I believe I did not manage myself last season,” said ex-Warriors gritty midfielder.

Gamecocks gaffer Joey Antipas who has been a great admirer of their championship winning skipper for a long time said: “He (Phiri) has had a distinguished career, he played his part in our team. He is a fine player, I think injuries affected him one way or the other.”

At Golden Arrows, Phiri was one of four Zimbabwean players together with Kudakwashe Mahachi, Devine Lunga and Knox Mutizwa.

The quartet played regularly and prior to his move to Arrows, Phiri was one of the few locally based players to command a regular place in the Warriors Africa Cup of Nations squads. He was a stand-out player for Gamecocks as they marched to their maiden Castle Lager Championship under the guidance of Antipas and Prince Matore.

The midfielder was subsequently voted Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year in 2015 after he produced stellar performances alongside Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Clemence Matawu, Lawrence Mhlanga, Thomas Chimenya, Guide Goddard, George Majika, Passmore Bernard and Thabani Goredema among other talented players.

Deco was released by Gamecocks alongside goalkeeper Pride Zendera whose destination for now is not known. The Tshabalala-bred Zendera has been in the club’s goalkeeping department for a long time where he has been deputising Warriors goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.

There could be a fierce battle for the Chicken Inn number one jersey with the club believed to have already signed former Arenel goalminder Aaron Ngwenya while Prosper Matutu formerly with Highlanders and Bulawayo Chiefs is being assessed. (@The Chronicle)