Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn are still assessing Zambian striker Trust Gomezani Mkandawire, who arrived in the country for trials on March 4.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
The GameCocks invited Mkandawire for trials when they went to the neighbouring country in January for a pre-season tournament as they prepared for their Confederation of African Football Champions League tie against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.
He, however, arrived in the country when Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas was away, but the he was expected in Bulawayo last night.
Chicken Inn secretary Tavengwa Hara confirmed yesterday that the former Chipolopolo Under-20 and Under-23 striker has been training under assistant coaches Prince Matore and Sikhumbuzo “China” Banda.
“The coaches are still assessing him (Mkandawire),” Hara said.
“We were supposed to play a friendly match against Hwange on Friday, but that match did not materialise. We are organising another friendly match because the coaches want to see him in a game situation. Antipas has been away, but he is now okay and is supposed to be back tonight.” Mkandawire is a former Power Dynamos player and played the last half of the season last year for African Stars in Namibia, where he banged in nine goals in 14 appearances.
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The champions are looking at beefing up their squad ahead of their title defence as they anticipate to lose some of their key players that are likely to leave for South Africa, with Orland Pirates, Sundowns and Golden Arrows reported to be circling on some of Chicken Inn’s stars.
Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane is said to be keen on assessing strikers Michelle Katsvairo and Edmore Chirambadare, while he also spoke highly of left-back Devine Lunga when the South African side was in Zimbabwe for the Caf Champions League preliminary round first leg.
Midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu also received thumbs-up from Mosimane and Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube confirmed there had been enquiries about some of their players, even though he declined to name them nor their suitors.
Chicken Inn grabbed veteran striker Obadiah Tarumbwa from Highlanders, Physwell Madhazi from Dongo Sawmill and Moses Demera from Flame Lily.
Former ZPC Kariba and Caps United midfielder Pride Tafirenyinka is also at the GameCocks.
