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Ricky Zililo in Ndola, Zambia
NATIONAL team and Bantu Rovers’ defender Teenage Hadebe’s deal to join champions Chicken Inn hangs in the balance as the Gamecocks insist that they want to further assess the player before making a final decision.
Hadebe, who spent last season on loan at Bulawayo giants Highlanders, is one of the four new players that Chicken registered in their 28-man Caf Champions League squad.
The other three are strikers Obidiah Tarumbwa, Physwell Madhazi and Moses Demera, who turned out for Highlanders, Dongo Sawmill and Flame Lily respectively last season.
Hadebe did not travel with the Chicken Inn squad for their three-game tour of Zambia in the Copperbelt city of Ndola due to a nagging knee injury that also ruled him out of the Warriors’ hugely unsuccessful foray in the African Nations Championship in Rwanda.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas revealed that although they had registered Hadebe for the Caf Champions League, they had not yet signed the defender and negotiations were still ongoing.
“He’s a brilliant player and I believe negotiations are still underway between Chicken Inn and Bantu Rovers. However, because of reports that he’s carrying a knee problem, we’ll have to assess him when we get back home and see for ourselves the actual position before we conclude the deal,” said Antipas.
“Everywhere in the world, players go for medical examinations before concluding their moves and because we want him to be immediately available for selection, it’s wise for us to make an informed decision”.
Chicken Inn play South African side Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the Caf Champions League preliminary match in Bulawayo on the weekend of February 12-14 and Antipas said they wanted a fit Hadebe to be part of their match day squad.
The national Under-23 defender missed a number of games for Highlanders last season because of injuries.
With Antipas hard-pressed to get a solution for his defence which conceded five goals in two matches in the Ndola friendlies, the coach said he would be happy if Hadebe’s injury was not that severe.
A fit Hadebe, who can also play on the left side of defence where Chicken Inn have young Devine Lunga and Brian Mbiriri, will be a great buy for the Gamecocks.
Antipas is also hopeful that his skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri and veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu, who did not travel to Zambia as they are carrying some injuries, will be available for the Sundowns’ game.
“We gave them a rest because we want them fit. We’ll see how they’ll be when we return home. The good thing is that Deco had started some light training and knowing him, he has probably been working hard at the gym. Hopefully he won’t hurt himself,” said Antipas.
Phiri is recovering from a tendon strain while Matawu has a calf injury.