Gamecocks excuse veteran Bernard Passmore Bernard in action against Herentals

Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter

FORMER Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn have been temporarily compelled to excuse their veteran defender Passmore Bernard, a player whom they did not register for the 2023 season, so as to allow him to attend to some pressing family issues, Chronicle Sport has learnt.

Speaking at the sidelines club’s press conference held yesterday, Chicken Inn head coach Prince Matore said the 35-year-old right footed defender, who boasts of championship medals with Gamecocks and now defunct Motor action, was not part of their current squad.

“All I can say, Passmore’s contract with the club expired at the end of last year. He was set to renew it and unfortunately some family issues popped up.

We have since decided to excuse the player to give him ample time to deal with those pressing family issues. When he is ready, he should come to us and we will take it from there,” said Matore, whose charges are set to meet Premier League newcomers Simba Bhora in their next match set for tomorrow at Luveve Stadium.

In the current absence of Bernard, young and enterprising Arthur Chinda is set to be a regular starter at a club that also lost the services of veteran duo of ex club captains Moses Jackson and Guide Goddard at the end of last year.

Owing to his advanced age of 41, Jackson, who is reportedly now with Golden Eagles in Harare, was not rehired so was Goddard who has since assumed a coaching role at the Gamecocks’ junior clubs.

Chinda was in fine form on the right side of the Chicken Inn defence when the 2015 champions played out a 0-0 draw against Sheasham last Saturday at Mandava Stadium.

The starlet was ably complemented by roving Xolani “Lolo” Ndlovu, new signings Mpumelelo Bhebhe and Dominic Jaricha who were both previously with Bulawayo City.

Bhebhe and Jaricha were handed their debuts after the club’s last season regular starters, Itai Mabunu and Vincent Moyo failed to make the trip to Zvishavane owing to injuries.

In the previous term, Mabunu and Moyo established a telepathic understanding in the heart of Gamecocks rearguard, combining well with Ndlovu and Neilson Ketala.

Tomorrow, Chicken Inn, who have been dogged by pre-season injuries, will do duty against Simba Bhora without the services of suspended ex-Warriors midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu.

The industrious midfielder was last weekend given a red card after a second bookable offence.

Kutinyu was first cautioned 55 minutes into play for dissent after an opponent tore his jersey with the referee of the day amazingly waving play on.

He was then sent for an early shower after a tackle on tear away Construction Boys’ David Mangesi who had left him for dead. — @FungaiMuderere

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