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Danny Phiri

Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
DANNY Phiri’s manager Fortune Chisale was left clutching thin air after the player went behind his back and signed a three-year contract with Chicken Inn.Chisale who is based in South Africa confirmed at the weekend that Phiri is staying at Chicken Inn. He said the player was offered a house as his signing-on fees.

Phiri was on the radar of a couple of clubs in Southern Africa with Highlanders and Dynamos leading the race in Zimbabwe.

“Negotiations for his move to either Dynamos or Highlanders were on-going. There was also a South African club that I was close to a deal with. It would’ve been his first step towards breaking into the South African Premiership,” said Chisale.

He refused to be drawn to say what he would do following the player’s betrayal.

“Naturally I’m disappointed that things have gone that way. What players at times fail to appreciate is that we spend a lot of time and resources trying to link them with moves all over the world. In return we expect the players to show a bit of respect and ethical conduct,” said Chisale.

He joins a list of managers who include Gibson Mahachi who have been ditched by players.

Tendai Ndoro of Mpumalanga Black Aces is up in arms with his former handler Mahachi. The talented forward who has attracted the attention of top sides in South Africa will have his case taken up with the South African Football Association and the South African Premiership this month.

Phiri who could not be reached for comment yesterday, advised his agent that he had taken into account his age and a nagging injury.

The player was the engine of the Zimbabwe team which reached the semi-finals of the Chan tournament in South Africa. He had a flawless display but however he could not land a move into the more lucrative South African Premiership.

Phiri’s performances last year were not at the level of the previous seasons and that of the Chan tournament.

An injury free Deco, as he is affectionately known, remains among the best defensive links in the country.

He is expected with Brian Juru, Thabani Goredema, Moses Jackson, Brian Mbiriri and Tendai Mukambi to play a leading role in Joey Antipas’ quest for glory with Chicken Inn this year.

Last week Chicken Inn secretary Tavengwa Hara appeared to have taken both Bosso and DeMbare by surprise when he disclosed that the player had a running contract with Chicken Inn.

His previous deal ran until December 31, 2014.

Highlanders are in a desperate move to get an anchorman, a position which like the rightback’s, has been a problem for a while.

Only Blessing Gumiso and Stephen Alimenda have managed to stamp their authority in the last 15 years just like Noel Kaseke.

Bosso have had to rely on makeshift options.

With Phiri out, Bosso’s options are getting thinner by the day and Nqobizitha Masuku and Douglas Sibanda who can play as centreback remain the most viable options.

Sibanda is returning after a loan spell at Shabanie Mine last year while Masuku is contracted to Bantu Rovers.