Chicken Inn coach Joey “Mafero” Antipas has chosen not to pursue high-profile signings for the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, instead placing his trust in a group of relatively unknown young talents.
The new season begins this Friday, with newly-promoted Scottland facing league returnees Triangle United at Rufaro. Chicken Inn will host Bikita Minerals at Luveve the following day.
Scottland has been the most aggressive team in the transfer market, raiding the ranks of Zimbabwe’s biggest clubs—Dynamos, Highlanders, and CAPS United. High-profile players, including reigning Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona, Khama Billiat, Godknows Murwira, and Frederick Ansa Botchway, have all joined the club. The defending champions, Simba Bhora, also saw key players and coach Tonderai Ndiraya make the switch to Scottland.
In response, Simba Bhora has brought in seasoned players like William Manondo, Never Tigere, and 2023 Soccer Star of the Year runner-up Donald Mudadi to fill the gaps left by the departures.
However, Antipas, who led Chicken Inn to their first and only league title in 2015, has opted to rely on lesser-known talents. On Monday, the Gamecocks introduced six new players, three of whom played in Division One last season. Tinashe Mashaineri and Edward Musena (Kwekwe United), Tadiwa Muchenje (Bulawayo Chiefs), Kumbirai Nyamutenha (Chinhoyi Stars), Walter Vuwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars), and Aron Ngwenya (Arenel Movers) are all new additions, replacing players like Malvin Hwata (now at Simba Bhora), Albert Nyamusaka, Danny “Deco” Phiri, Raphael Kutinyu, and goalkeeper Pride Zendera.
“There are no big names this time, but we believe these players can make an impact,” said Antipas.
It’s been 10 years since Chicken Inn claimed their only Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title in 2015, under Antipas. That year, they also produced the Soccer Star of the Year, Phiri, and had four players on the Soccer Star of the Year calendar—Edmore Chirambadare, goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, Clemence Matawu, and Phiri.
While Chicken Inn consistently finished in the top four from 2016 to 2022, the past two seasons have been challenging, with the team finishing seventh in both 2023 and 2024. Nevertheless, Antipas is hopeful the club can improve its standings this year, although he expects fierce competition, particularly with Scottland’s deep pockets and TelOne’s impressive signings, which include former Dynamos captain Frank Makarati and Leeroy Murape. CAPS United, too, appear to have strengthened, especially with a midfield trio of Tanaka Shandirwa, Juan Mutudza, and England-born Kundai Benyu.
“It will be a tough season, but we’re looking forward to it,” said Antipas. “We just need to stay united and work as one team.”
Match Day One Fixtures:
- Friday: Scottland v Triangle United (Rufaro)
- Saturday: Herentals College v TelOne (Rufaro), Simba Bhora v FC Platinum (Wadzanai), Manica Diamonds v Yadah (Sakubva), Kwekwe United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Bata), GreenFuel v CAPS United (GreenFuel Arena)
- Sunday: Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), MWOS v Highlanders (Baobab)
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