South African scout assesses Chicken Inn goalkeeper

SOUTH Africa’s Supersport United chief scout, Paul Matthews sneaked into the country to assess Warriors and Chicken Inn first choice goalkeeper, Donovan Bernard when his club clashed with Dynamos in a match that ended nil all at Barbourfields Stadium.

Matthews was in the company of one of the country’s renowned player agents, Gibson Mahachi.
Mahachi further confirmed Supersport United’s interest in getting the signature of the agile Gamecocks goalminder.

“Yes, I can confirm that I was with the Supersport United chief scout (Paul Matthews) at Barbourfields Stadium last weekend, to watch the game between Chicken Inn and Dynamos,” said Mahachi.

He added: “Matthews had come to see how a few local players play in a real game situation and obviously he was also watching Donovan (Bernard). Remember, they (Supersport) once showed interest in signing Donovan a few months ago. In fact, they are looking for a goalkeeper ahead of the start of next season in South Africa.

So, in other words, Matthews was assessing Donovan and it’s still work in progress as they are still to watch the goalkeeper do duty for the Warriors in South Africa, in the World Cup qualifiers.”

The Warriors’ home fixtures against Lesotho and South Africa in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers will be played across the Limpopo River, since Zimbabwe is still without a stadium certified to play host to international matches.

This is despite numerous promises by Sports Minister, Kirsty Coventry that the National Sports Stadium will be renovated in time for the upcoming qualifiers slated for June.Rufaro Stadium is still being renovated and even struggled to get the Zifa First Instance Board (FIB)’s approval for the hosting of Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches.

Interestingly, earlier on this year, Supersport United, who are fondly known as Matsatsantsa a Pitori, invited Dynamos goal minder Martin Mapisa for a brief trial stint.

In the game between Gamecocks and DeMbare that ended nil all, Bernard, who is also a former Motor Action and How Mine shot stopper, was the busier of the two goalkeepers.Before joining DeMbare, a fringe Warriors goal minder, Mapisa was based in Spain.

Gamecocks secretary-general Tavengwa Hara, could neither confirm nor deny that Matthews was assessing their goalkeeper, saying it is always refreshing to have their players scouted.“A lot of people have always developed a soft spot for our players.

We actually don’t know who the South African scout was watching, a lot of scouts have over the years been attracted to our team. In that regard, we will always seek to ride on our reputation,” said Hara.
His sentiments were echoed by the club’s head coach, Joey Antipas.

“It’s always good to have your players scouted by international scouts. We are only waiting to hear about any of our players from those who were hunting for them. Chicken Inn has always exported players, so it’s nothing new to us as we have a reputation of doing that,” said Hara.

Supersport United provides home to ex-Warriors duo of Washington Arubi and Onismor Bhasera.
The club once had Kudakwashe Mahachi, the late imposing Warriors goalkeeper George Chigova and Terrence Dzukamanja in their books.—@FungaiMuderere