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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
STRIKER Obidiah Tarumbwa and defender Teenage Hadebe completed their moves to champions Chicken Inn yesterday and have been included in the Gamecocks’ 28-man Caf Champions League squad.

The duo is part of four new signings confirmed by the ambitious Bulawayo side in its bid to make a mark in the African safari and retain the league championship.

Chicken Inn also signed unheralded strikers Pyswell Madhazi and Moses Demera from relegated sides Dongo Sawmill and Flame Lily respectively.

However, it is the capture of proven striker Tarumbwa and national team defender Hadebe that is likely to infuriate Highlanders’ fans, who had been hoping that Bosso would retain the two players, who had been on loan at the Bulawayo giants from Southern Region League outfit Bantu Rovers.

Highlanders’ snail pace in dealing with Bantu Rovers regarding the services of Tarumbwa, Hadebe and FC Platinum-bound Nqobizitha Masuku could prove costly when the new season starts.

Bantu Rovers had given Bosso first preference to re-engage the players and wrote to the Bulawayo giants at the beginning of December inquiring whether they were interested in retaining the trio.

Chronicle Sport is reliably informed that Highlanders only responded to the Bantu Rovers’ letter on December 30 after reading in the press that Chicken Inn had approached Bantu Rovers for the services of Tarumbwa and Hadebe.

Highlanders’ secretary-general Emmett Ndlovu and committee member Wisdom Mabhena hand-delivered the Bosso response at the Bantu Rovers offices on Wednesday, but it was rather late as Tarumbwa and Hadebe had been given the green light to sign for Chicken Inn.

Highlanders will now have to hunt for new strikers after Tarumbwa’s confirmed departure as they are also set to lose hitman Knox Mutizwa, who is on the verge of signing for South African Premier Soccer League side Bidvest Wits.

Bosso’s quest to lure top notch players might also prove difficult following reports that the club is planning to cut players’ wages for the 2016 season.

Besides the four additions, the Gamecocks have maintained their 2015 squad and they should not have problems trying to gel for their preliminary Champions League first leg tie against South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Bulawayo.

The first leg of the preliminary round is on the weekend of February 12 to 14 with the return leg set for the weekend of February 26-28.

The Chicken Inn squad boasts of experienced players that understand the pressures of competing in demanding games.

Some of the players that will be key in the Gamecocks’ African safari include skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri, who is also a key member of the national team, veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu, who had a stint in Poland, and Tarumbwa, who also had stints in Belgium, Cyprus and South Africa.

Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, defender Lawrence Mhlanga, midfielder Tafadzwa Raphael Kutinyu, who is on loan from Bantu Rovers, striker Edmore Chirambadare, Demera and Hadebe are all part of the locally-based Warriors’ squad preparing for Chan that kicks off in Rwanda on January 16 and ends February 7.

Chicken Inn administrator Tapiwa Marime said players will be advised on the start date of their pre-season in due course.

“It will be soon, but the players will be notified before the end of the weekend. There are no major additions to the squad and we hope the four that have been brought into the Chicken Inn family will have a good stay. We’ve also registered one junior player for the Caf Champions League, Nicholas Muchadei, who is a right-link,” said Marime.

Chicken Inn were beaten to the signatures of Raphael Manuvire and Hillary Bakacheza by Harare City and FC Platinum. They also failed in their quest to lure Caps United hardman Stephen Makatuka with Champions League football.

Chicken Inn Caf Champions League squad

Goalkeeper: Elvis Chipezeze, Pride Zireni, Wandile Ndlovu

Defenders: Passmore Bernard, Devine Lunga, Brian Mbiriri, Lawrence Mhlanga, Moses Jackson, Guide Goddard, Teenage Hadebe, Ben Nyahunzvi

Midfielders: Danny Phiri, Brian Juru, Thabani Goredema, Clemence Matawu, Tafadzwa Raphael Kutinyu, Toto Banda, Canaan Nkomo, George Majika, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Nicholas Muchadei

Strikers: Edmore Chirambadare, Obidiah Tarumbwa, Moses Demera, Pyswell Demera, David Temwanjira, Ishmael Lawe, Mitchell Katsvairo