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Issa Hayatou

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ACTING Fifa president Issa Hayatou has congratulated the newly crowned Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn for lifting their maiden league title.

The Gamecocks, who also provided four players to the Castle Lager Soccer Stars of the Year finalists, will represent Zimbabwe in the Caf Champions League in 2016.

“Chicken Inn are the new Zimbabwean champions. It gives me great pleasure to send my heartfelt congratulations to Chicken Inn and their indomitable team on this great achievement, their first ever title,” Hayatou, who is also the Caf president, said in a statement yesterday.

He said the title was a result of team work from the technical team, the players, team management and the fans.

“This title is the result of everyone involved and my congratulations go to the players, the coach, the entire technical and medical staff and of course the fans.

“On behalf of the world football community, I would like to thank Chicken Inn and your association (Zifa) for helping to spread the positive message of football,” said Hayatou.

Chicken Inn won the title with a game to spare after elbowing out closest challengers Dynamos and FC Platinum.

Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube said they were humbled by the recognition of their achievement by the world football governing body.

“We’re very excited as a club to get such recognition. It’s in fact an honour. The club has now become a member of a special group of national champions,” said Ncube.

He said they would work tirelessly to grab another championship next year and to also ensure that the players and technical team remain motivated so that they win more silverware.

Meanwhile, Ncube has rubbished claims that they will be relocating to Harare next season saying the team was in Bulawayo to stay.

“That’s just only a rumour. The team is here to stay,” said Ncube when quizzed on claims doing the rounds on social media networks.