adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
CHICKEN INN FC coach Joey Antipas is singing praises for his off-season signing Edmore Chirambadare who was acquired from Tsholotsho FC. The striker has repaid the Gamecocks’ faith by scoring three goals in five outings so far. He has been an instant hit in his debut Premiership season, developing a knack for scoring and creating goals for his team that has seen Chicken Inn putting a strong early title challenge. The Gamecocks are third on the Premiership table with 12 points, one behind leaders Triangle United and Dynamos.
He marked his Premiership arrival by scoring Chicken Inn’s first goal of the season in their 2-1 win over Flame Lily. In that game Chirambadare went on to create the second goal scored by Mitchell Katsvairo. The left-footed striker then got a brace in Week Four in their 2-0 win over Whawha.
The former Tsholotsho FC gunman joined the Bulawayo-based fast-foods outlets-sponsored club as a free agent at the beginning of the year having been a vital cog during the Zhwane Boys’ championship campaign.
Chirambadare scored 13 goals for the first rural Premiership team in independent Zimbabwe to become the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League’s top goalscorer.
“He (Chirambadare) has brought in a fresh breeze into our attack. I spotted him last season when he was playing for Tsholotsho FC against Black Boots and his vision, skill and knack for scoring caught my eyes. I knew then that I wanted him and the rest like they say is history,” Antipas said.
“I’m happy that he has settled well and if he keeps his head on his shoulders, he is destined for greater heights. He’s a quality forward and the sky is the limit for him.”
Chirambadare, 23, competes for a starting place with seasoned strikers Mkhokheli Dube, Thomas “Mahinya” Chimenya, Ishmael Lawe and Katsvairo.
Just like many local footballers, Chirambadare, who draws his inspiration from Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, dreams of playing for the Warriors which he believes will open avenues for a move to Europe.
About his scoring prowess, the ambitious Chirambadare has set sights on becoming the league’s top goal scorer.
ZPC Kariba’s duo of Raphael Manuvire and Artwell Nyamiwa have four goals each, FC Platinum’s Donald Ngoma, Richard Kawondera and Lameck Nhamo both Triangle United players are on three goals with Chirambadare.
“The guys at Chicken Inn have been supportive and the senior players are always encouraging me to work harder. It feels good to be part of the team and hopefully all my hard work will be rewarded with a national team call-up or a deal overseas,” he says.
“Playing for Chicken Inn is a challenge and it’s the desire to improve my game that made me join them. Tsholotsho FC also wanted my services but I wanted another challenge in life. I’m happy that I helped them gain promotion and wish them well. As for me, my focus is to be among the best strikers in the country.”
The Gweru-born Chirambadare started his career at Gweru Pirates in 2010, joined Silo United in 2012 before being discovered by Tsholotsho FC at the 2012 National Youth Games in Gwanda.
He played for two seasons at Tsholotsho FC but the club failed to tie him down leaving him to go as a free agent.
Tsholotsho FC are not the only club that lost quality players as free agents, Bulawayo giants Highlanders have lost numerous juniors to other clubs because of failure to give their players long term contracts.
Castle Lager PSL scorers chart
Four Goals: Raphael Manuvire, Artwell Nyamiwa (both ZPC Kariba)
Three Goals: Edmore Chirambadare (Chicken Inn), Richard Kawondera, Lameck Nhamo (both Triangle), Donald Ngoma (FC Platinum)
Two Goals: Hillary Bakacheza, Pasca Manhanga (both Triangle), Lynoth Chikuwa (Tsholotsho) Ronald Chitiyo (Dynamos), Clemence Matawu (Chicken Inn), Milton Muponda (Flame Lily), Walter Musona (FC Platinum), Roderick Mutuma (Caps United), Evans Rusike (Hwange), Martin Vengesayi (Harare City)
One Goal: Qadr Amini, Dominic Chungwa, Walter Mukanga, Simba Nhivi (all Dynamos), David Boriwondo, Munyaradzi Mungadze, Tonisani Sibelo, Gilbert Zulu (Hwange), Webster Chingodza, Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders), Kevin Katandika, Martin Nyanzira, Physwell Madhazi, Blessing Dzumbunu (Dongo Sawmill), Livingstone Genti, Oscar Lungu, Marlvin Nyakabangwe (Whawha), Simbarashe Gorogodyo, James Jam (Harare City), Lloyd Katongomara, Prosper Matizanadzo, Jacob Muzokomba (Buffaloes), Devine Lunga, Mitchell Katsvairo, George Majika (Chicken Inn), Felix Kuswatuka, Praise Tonha (Triangle United), Dexter Phiri, Tawanda Nyamandwe, Russell Madamombe (ZPC Kariba), Benjamin Marere, Kuda Musharu, Wonder Sithole (How Mine), Hardlife Mavundi, Ronald Ronald (Triangle), Virimai Mukudo (Flame Lilly), Ronald Pfimbidzai (Caps United), Allen Tavarwisa (Chapungu).
Own Goals: Kudzai Mwaramba (Buffaloes).
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter