The Sunday Mail
ZIMBABWE’S representatives in this year’s CAF African Champions League, Chicken Inn, are not fazed by their maiden dance in the continent’s biggest club competition as the preliminary round fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns beckons.
Chicken Inn begins their African journey during the weekend of February 12-14 when they host The Brazilians in the first leg at Babourfields in a fixture that has triggered a lot of excitement in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The fixture is also being viewed by some as another opportunity to gauge which one is better between the local Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and the Absa Premiership of South Africa.
The Gamecocks coach Joey Antipas is, however, not new to the demands of continental football having guided Motor Action in 2011 and the veteran gaffer is approaching the task with a relaxed mind.
The league champions made a few last minute additions to their squad before the deadline day on December 31, 2015 and Antipas has expressed satisfaction with the charges he has at his disposal.
“We are just going there to enjoy ourselves, play our normal game because there is no reason to panic even though this is Chicken Inn’s first time on the continent.
“We play Mamelodi Sundowns who are riding high in the Absa Premiership, they have quality players so that one promises to be a cracker of a game.
“But we have also made our own additions; we managed to bring in some players who I think will add more value to the team.
“Who knows, we might spring a surprise or two,” said Antipas.
Chicken Inn were not as robust, on the market, as Harare City who are also making their debut appearance in the CAF Confederations Cup.
They brought in Young Warriors defender Teenage Hadebe who crossed from city rivals Highlanders while the forceful Moses Demera joins from relegated Flame Lily.
While Antipas can be forgiven if he fails to sail past the preliminary stage, given the profile of his opponents and his playing personnel, the same cannot be said of Harare City’s coach Taurai Mangwiro.
Although City secretary general Mathew Marara revealed that his club will go into the CAF Confederations Cup without a target, Mangwiro is now under increased pressure to deliver after The Sunshine Boys pulled off some fantastic moves on the transfer market.
Their biggest capture was Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, who dumped former champions Dynamos, ball distributor Raphael Manuvire joined from ZPC Kariba while Blessing “Bisto” Moyo left DeMbare in a last minute sensational move.
Fast rising former Flame Lily left-back Farai Madhananga, who is in Kalisto Pasuwa’s provisional squad for the upcoming African Nations Championships, also signed a three-year contract.
Former Monomotapa and Triangle steely centre back Jimmy Tigere is also now part of a powerful City squad.
The Sunshine Boys sacrificed skipper David Kutyauripo – who has now taken up a junior coaching role – , striker Osborne Mukuradare, unheralded left back Munashe Chinembeza and former Dynamos utility player Timire Mamvura.
“We have finished the task of securing the right players and we believe we now have a decent squad. The coach requested the players, we have given him what he asked for and we leave it to him now.
“We do not have a target per se with regards to the CAF Confederations Cup, this is our first time in this competition so as the executive we will take whatever we get,” said Marara.
City coach Mangwiro is now hoping for the best.“We didn’t perform as good as we wanted in 2015 but with these signings we can only hope for a better 2016,” said Mangwiro.
“We lacked creativity, that cutting edge in the final third. We believe that will be solved now that we have Chitiyo and Manuvire. The squad looks formidable.”
Harare City will play AS Adema of Madagascar in the preliminary round of the CAF Confederations Cup and the first leg will be played in Harare during the weekend of February 12-14 before Adema host the return leg a fortnight later.
Harare City chairman is satisfied with his executive’s dealings on the market and is confident his club will not embarrass the country on the continent.
“I am surprised by this noise that we raided Dynamos, no, we did not raid anybody. The most important issue is that we have an obligation and duty to assemble a squad that will compete effectively and proudly raise the national flag on the continent.
“Ronald (Chitiyo) and Blessing (Moyo) were clubless, their contracts were expiring so they were on the open market and anyone would have taken them if we didn’t.
“Harare City football club are not rivals of Dynamos and Caps United, we view these clubs as our good fellow competitors and we wish them well.
“We have a very good relationship with the two clubs at leadership, technical and player level,” said Masepe.
