PSL giants lose key players

By The NewsDay | May. 19, 2021 | 3 Min read

MIDFIELDER Tafadzwa Kutinyu, who bounced back to his former club Chicken Inn for the 2021 season, will not feature for his side in the Chibuku Super Cup as he is yet to get his reverse international clearance and the same fate could befall three new Highlanders signings.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

As football resumes in the country this weekend, the GameCocks face off with Bulawayo City on Saturday at Barbourfields Stadium in the first game of Group 2 of the Chibuku Super Cup round-robin stage, which also features Highlanders and Bulawayo Chiefs, who clash on Sunday at the same venue.

Chicken Inn secretary Tavengwa Hara confirmed that Kutinyu, who was at Horoya, is yet to receive his reverse international transfer certificate (ITC) from Guinea.

Club administrator Clement Matawu yesterday released Chicken Inn’s 26-member squad for the Chibuku Super Cup yesterday.

Coach Joey Antipas said besides Kutinyu, they had no other player concerns as they target the season’s first piece of silverware.

“We have not received the international clearance for Tafadzwa and we are hoping that when we start the league, it will be done. Otherwise, we don’t have any other challenges with registration. The players are looking all good and we are looking forward to the game against Chicken Inn,” Antipas said.

“We are happy to start football after a long layoff and we are looking forward to doing well in the Chibuku Super Cup. It’s early days with not much to write home about, teams are still undercooked because we have not been able to play friendlies. We will have to test the boys with these opening matches, the boys are raring to go.”

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Highlanders also have players that might not see action because of the international clearances issues. These include Joel Ngodzo and Winston Mhango, who were both in Zambia, and Peter Muduhwa, who recently was on loan to Tanzanian side Simba SC.

Bulawayo City, coached by Philani “Beefy” Ncube, have a relatively new squad with 25 players for the 2021 season.

The local authority side was promoted back to the top league after winning the 2019 Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League, but would not play in the top league last year as football was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beefy has roped in experienced players in Benson Phiri, Dominic Mukandi, Wellington Kamudyariwa, Wisdom Mutasa, Mgcini Sibanda and Eddie Nkulungo, who could upset Chicken Inn on Saturday.

Chicken Inn squad

Goalkeepers: Donovan Bernard, Pride Zendera, Samuel Mafukidze

Defenders: Ian Nekati, Passmore Bernard, Liberty Chakoroma, Guide Goddard, Moses Jackson, Bryan Giant, Nielson Ketala, Xolani Ndlovu, Lukas Sibanda

Midfielders: Brett Amidu, Clive Dzingai, Malvin Gaki, George Majika, Shepherd Mhlanga, Michael Charamba, Irvine Munkombwe, Arthur Chinda

Strikers: Obriel Chirinda, Nicole Mutatiwa, Brian Muza, Leroy Ndlovu, Paddington Nyamakura, Munashe Pini

Bulawayo City squad

Goalkeepers: Bhekimpilo Ncube, Elton Sibanda, Aaron Ngwenya

Defenders: Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Douglas Sibanda, Benson Phiri, Humphrey Ncube, Lesley Lunga, Wilfred Munorhwei, Lewis Ncube, Ntobeko Moyo

Midfielders: Dominic Mukandi, Wellington Kamudyariwa, Melikhaya Ncube, Alton Ncube, Wisdom Mutasa, Elsamah Farasi, Andre Siziba, Chrispen Machisi, Vincent Moyo

Strikers: John Chinyerere, Dalubuhle Dlodlo, Nkosinomusa Khanye, Mgcini Sibanda, Eddie Nkulungo