BY OnSport Reporter
COACH Philani Mabhena could soon be joining Chicken Inn as assistant to veteran Joey Antipas to replace Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi who was relieved of his duties in the senior team and re-assigned to the club’s development side in May.
Mabhena, who had stints with Highlanders, FC Platinum and How Mine locally and has also taken his trade to Botswana for a number of clubs, was interviewed at the GameCocks during the week and Antipas says Mabhena’s engagement is in the pipeline.
“That is a bit premature right now. As of now it is still premature because it is still in negotiations,” Antipas said.
Mabhena reunites with Chicken Inn after he led as assistant to Philani “Beefy” Ncube, to the top league in 2011, before he was lured by FC Platinum where he was assistant to the late Benjamin Moyo.
Antipas has also confirmed that Scottland FC striker Lynoth Chikuhwa will be joining the GameCocks on loan as the 2015 league champions seek to find the rhythm in this year’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
“That one (about Chikuhwa) I can say is true,” the coach said.
He started training with Chicken Inn today, where he might be under pressure he faced in the star-studded Scottland set-up.
The 2024 Castle Lager Golden Boot winner with 17 goals, only managed one goal at Scottland FC.
Scottland have settled for Warriors striker Terrence Dzvukamanja who was with SuperSport United and also grabbed Malawian Khuda Muyaba formerly with Polokwane City and Venda Club in South Africa.
Chicken Inn had a bad start to the season and are off to Mandava Stadium where they take on FC Platinum on Saturday after beating Yadah FC at Luveve last Saturday.
They only have four wins in the bag from 18 games, perching on position 12 on the log-table, losing six times and playing eight draws with 20 points.
The mid-season transfer window has come with a number of movements with Caps United said to be bringing in Ishmael Wadi, Chris Mugalu and Chitoshi Chinga and parting ways with Erick Manokore, Wayne Makuva, Joseph Manuel Mbollo and Rodwell Chinyengetere with latter on his way to Green Fuel.
Struggling giants Dynamos see the return Wisdom Mutasa with Nomore Chinyererere, Elton Chikona and Raymond Uchena on their way out.
Chikona is moving to TelOne who could be losing striker Washington Navaya who is trying his luck at newly-promoted Betway Premiership side Durban City in South Africa.
FC Platinum, who lost Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya to AmaZulu in South Africa, are reported to be bringing in Enock Karembo from Manica Diamonds while Highlanders are registering Panashe Mushonga who has been with the club since January from Chegutu Pirates.
CAPS United’s Juan Mutudza, Sean Mzinde and Wesley Milanzi are reported to be on trials in South Africa.
Mutudza and Milanzi are at Magesi.
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday: Herentals vs Simba Bhora (Rufaro), TelOne vs Dynamos (Ascot), ZPC Kariba vs Manica Diamonds (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum vs Chicken Inn (Mandava), Yadah vs MWOS (Heart), Bikita Minerals vs Kwekwe United (Gibbo), Ngezi Platinum Stars vs Scottland FC (Baobab)
Sunday (Highlanders vs Green Fuel (Barbourfields), Caps United vs Triangle (Rufaro)
Mabhena reunites with Chicken Inn, Chikuhwa confirmed
