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Fungai Muderere, [email protected]

AFTER a while in the wilderness, Joey Antipas still stands tall — a colossus of courage and unwavering resolve in the pulsating heart of sports, where the roar of the crowd meets the silence of strategy.

His  name echoes in stadia, not merely as a football legend, but as a visionary coach who embodies the essence of an indomitable spirit.

The  story of coach Antipas is not just a narrative; it’s proof to the sheer force of an iron will.

It’s a chronicle of a man, who with a blend of grit  and grace, carved his path to eminence, shattering barriers and silencing sceptics.

Once hailed as “Mafero” for his electrifying presence on the field, Antipas was a maestro with the ball — his moves a work of art, his tactics a dance.

He turned the pitch into a stage, where each match was a performance, leaving the audience spellbound by his kinetic prowess and strategic genius.

Now, back at the helm of Chicken Inn after stepping aside to let his apprentice take charge, Antipas is the mastermind charting the course for the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season. His belief in his squad is as steadfast as ever, a light that will guide them through the stormiest of challenges.

The GameCocks, with their storied legacy of triumph in 2015, weathered a turbulent 2023 season under the guidance of Prince Matore and Farai

Tawarechera. Yet, they stand, not bowed, but emboldened, ready to reclaim their glory. With the backing of Simbisa Brands, they  are more than a team; they are a brotherhood, united under the banner of Antipas’ unshakeable faith.

“We need to improve and we are very positive that we will make it this time around. Our target is to go back to the top four and everything will be a bonus,” declared Antipas.

Club secretary Tavengwa Hara concurred, stressing the need for them to elevate their play.

“While we are not putting too much pressure on ourselves, that championship glory has to return. We are former champions and we believe we belong in that league. The championship will always remain our target as we seek to improve from our past seasons performances,” Hara affirmed.

Antipas anticipates a season of change.

“We  have a relatively new side, but we are going there to compete. We need to up our game and conquer,” he said.

And early signs are proving that they will indeed compete — last week they beat CAPS United 0-1 away from home at Gweru’s Bata Stadium.

Chicken Inn enjoys robust support from Simbisa Brands, a crucial advantage at a time when many local football clubs face economic hardships. The GameCock s have been fortunate to have stable backing from Simbisa Brands and partners Bonvie Medical Aid Scheme, Black Shark and Zibuko

Capital since 2018.

InnBucks  recently joined as the latest partner.-@FungaiMuderere