Gamecocks to finalise technical setup
FORMER champions Chicken Inn are expected to finalise their new technical set-up by the end of this week.
This follows the re-engagement of Joey Antipas late last year to replace the sacked Prince Matore who with his assistant Farai Tawachera did not impress club bosses with a seventh place finish.
Last season, Antipas was re-assigned to the position of technical director while his long-term assistant Matore and Tawachera taking charge of the team because of the then Caf A requirement by the Premier Soccer League.
However, following the temporary relief granted to Caf B coaching licence holders by the Zifa Normalisation Committee, Antipas can now sit on the Chicken Inn bench.
Matore and Tawachera are believed to have been shown the exit door but the club has remained mum over such developments taking place.
Former CAPS United striker Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi is strongly tipped to assume the role of assistant coach while former Chicken Inn player Guide Goddard looks certain to be promoted into Antipas’ backroom staff.
Chicken Inn want to do an official unveiling of their squad and hence the reluctance by those involved to confirm latest developments ahead of the function.
Chicken Inn media liaison officer Nkululeko Nkala yesterday told Zimpapers Sports that they were yet to finalise their technical team for 2024 going forward.
“We are still finalising and placing the final touches on the set up. We will possibly have a standpoint by the end of the week,” said Nkala.
In an earlier conversation, club secretary Tavengwa Hara also preferred the media to wait for the scheduled formal introductions.
“I am not aware of that (Kwashi’s appointment) but if there is anything which will happen to chicken it will be announced at the right time. You will be made to know of any developments concerning the club,” said Hara.
Kwashi was also evasive although he is understood to be interested in joining the Bulawayo side as one of Antipas lieutenants.
“It is only hearsay and there is nothing like that. It is just pub talk and you know when it’s off-season there is a lot of speculation and it is part of that. But you know in football anything can happen but I haven’t communicated with the team,” said Kwashi
Last season, the Gamecocks failed to meet expected results managing to post 11 wins, 16 draws and seven defeats in the process amassing 49 points, 17 adrift of eventual league winners Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Chicken Inn are believed to have already signed Brighton Makopa, Kelly Shiyandindi and Mthokozisi Msebe ahead of the start of the new season.
Hwange captain Shiyandindi and striker Makopa are set to join from Chipangano while Msebe who has caught the eye of several clubs locally will join from Bulawayo Chiefs.
Meanwhile, midfielder Michael Charamba is trying his luck at Tanzanian side Simba SC.
The 2023 Soccer Star of the Year finalist is part of the Simba team that has been playing in some tournament in Zanzibar and could make a move should he impress during his assessment.
However, he was not in the team that played Jamburi on Monday evening.
Charamba played in an invitational cup game last Friday.
Last year, Charamba renewed his contract at Chicken Inn and feels indebted to the Bulawayo side after they stood with him following a career-threatening injury, which ruled him out of action for the better part of the 2022 league season.
He gave a good account of himself playing as a winger for Chicken Inn last season and had several spectacular goals from outside the box. In the event he leaves, Chicken Inn may need to go into the market to hunt for a replacement.