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Joey Antipas

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
CHAMPIONS Chicken Inn’s title defence has been thrown into turmoil amid revelations that head coach Joey Antipas’ departure next month could result in an exodus of seven first team players that were crucial in their 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.

The champions confirmed yesterday that Antipas and his assistant Prince Matore would be joining South African National First Division side Amazulu on July 1, but the headache for management doesn’t end there.

Key players Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchelle Katsvairo are reportedly on their way to Kaizer Chiefs after successful trials, and will leave the Gamecocks when the mid-season window opens alongside skipper Danny Phiri and Tafadzwa Kutinyu.

Phiri and Kutinyu are rumoured to be on their way to Durban-based Premiership side Golden Arrows.

They were among some Chicken Inn players that attracted South African clubs’ interests after their spirited performances against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Caf Champions League in February.

Chronicle Sport has it on good authority that Antipas is likely to take along at least three players to bolster the KwaZulu-Natal-based Amazulu, who are pushing for a Premiership return.

Although Chicken Inn will smile all the way to the bank following the expected sale of the players, their squad would be heavily affected going into the second half of the season.

Another dilemma they could face is that transfer rules and regulations only allow teams to add five players for the second half of the season, which means they will not be able to replace some that are likely to leave.

Chicken Inn spokesman Tavengwa Hara shot down concerns that their title defence would be affected by the departure of key players and the coach, saying they had already made contingency plans.

“The position at the moment is that we still have all the 30 players we registered in our books and our focus is on the games at hand. We haven’t come to conclusions in terms of players that went for trials in South Africa and we’re waiting for the third party to give us feedback,” said Hara.

“Because football is business, we won’t stop players from moving and we will identify players to replace those who will move. All our energy will be directed towards defending the title, which is much easier than winning it for the first time,” Hara said.

In a statement Chicken Inn released yesterday, the club said Antipas and Matore remained focused on achieving the mid-season targets and retain all respect and commitment from all within the club.

On who will take over from Antipas and Matore, the statement said: “Suitable replacements have been identified and will be announced in due course.”

Some of the coaches tipped to take charge include former Highlanders’ and national team gaffer Madinda Ndlovu, Rahman Gumbo, as well as ex-Dynamos and Warriors’ coach Callisto Pasuwa.