Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST days before a fiery Bulawayo derby showdown against Highlanders, Chicken Inn’s Division Two head coach Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi has allegedly gone AWOL.
Kwashi, who was recently reappointed to lead the Gamecocks’ Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two side, hasn’t shown up for duty since getting the job.
Club insiders say not even a whiff of his cologne has been picked up at training.
“He hasn’t pitched up since the announcement. No one knows where he is,” said a source close to the technical team.
Tostao, who was reassigned from the senior squad’s striking coach role in a desperate bid to fix the Gamecocks’ PSL scoring woes, was expected to work with development coaches Nkosana “Sancho” Gumbo and Ben Nyaunzvi on nurturing the club’s future stars.
Instead, the only place he’s been spotted is in the stands, casually watching first team matches, far from the touchline where he’s supposed to be shaping raw talent.
His demotion came as Chicken Inn struggled in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, failing to bang in goals and almost abandoning their Luveve Stadium base for greener pastures.
He has been equally elusive on his mobile phone as calls to get his comment have been unsuccessful.
But on Wednesday, the Gamecocks finally tasted home joy after beating Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 thanks to Mpumelelo Bhebhe’s decisive strike.
“It was a big relief. We told the boys the pitch doesn’t play football, they do,” said head coach Joey Antipas.
Chicken Inn now prepares to face Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday in a derby that promises fireworks.
“Derbies are unpredictable. But we’re ready to fight,” said Antipas.
As for Tostao, the big question remains: Where on earth is he?
PSL Week 17 Fixtures
Scotland v TelOne (Rufaro), Bikita Minerals v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo), ZPC Kariba v Herentals College (Nyamhunga)
Sunday
Triangle v Greenfuel (Gibbo), CAPS United v Kwekwe United (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v MWOS (Baobab), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields Stadium), Yadah v Simba Bhora (Heart Stadium), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava)
