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 Fungai Muderere, [email protected]

FORMER Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Chicken Inn have bemoaned the late announcement of the venue for their clash with Caps United in their 2024 season opener set for tomorrow.

Following the unavailability of venues in Harare, PSL announced yesterday afternoon that the two clubs are set to play at Gweru’s Bata Stadium. 

In an interview before the announcement, Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas said the delay negatively impacted on their planning. 

“For our purposes of planning, this really affected us. We didn’t know whether we were going to play them in Gweru or in Harare,” said Antipas. 

The veteran coach who bounced back to the Gamecocks dugout at the start of the year to take over from his long-time assistant Prince Matore who was fired together with Farai Tawarechera.

Tawarechera is now the head coach at PSL new boys Arenel Movers. Matore recently joined the Kwekwe United technical team. 

Joey Antipas

Asked about their chances of getting the better of Makepekepe, Antipas said it was anyone’s game. 

“It’s the opening game of the season. We are from one of our last training sessions and we are almost ready and up for it. It is going to be anyone’s game as we are both coming from a pre-season period. Both teams know nothing about each other,” said Antipas.

Meanwhile, yesterday Gamecocks unveiled their 2024 season squad, kit and partners in a ceremony that was held virtually.

“Our kit, squad and partners unveiling ceremony was held virtually for the first time. It was all in an effort to reach out to the far end of the world as we now live in a global village. We are happy to say we welcome InnBucks as one of our partners and Kelme are still technical kit partners,” said Chicken Inn spokesperson Nkululeko Nkala.

At a time most local football teams are feeling financial strain Gamecocks have continued to enjoy the backing of their sponsor Simbisa Brands and partners who have all stabilised their ship. 

In the past years, Chicken Inn have relatively been fortunate that their backer, Simbisa Brands and partners Bonvie Medical Aid Scheme, Black Shark and Zibuko Capital have all kept the club stable.–@FungaiMuderere