Chicken Inn coach has praised new signing Calum English-Brown after his club signed on the forward just two weeks after the conclusion of the the 2021/2022 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
English-Brown (21) has signed a two-year deal with the GameCocks, leaving relegated WhaWha where he was a revelation last season.
After failing in their pursuit of only their second league title, Chicken Inn have been swift in their transfer business as they prepare to launch another assault next season.
Antipas spoke glowingly of the striker after the club presented individual awards to excelling players for the past season at a colourful ceremony at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on Wednesday night.
“I thought Calum did well at WhaWha. He was a bundle of energy, a bundle of joy to watch and also the boy has got good talent, so we just have to try and nurture that talent and push him all the way to the top. He brings in excitement. Calum is a type of player who is electric on the ball, can play with both feet, he has got good pace and just his charisma on the game makes him a good player and I believe he will improve with time. I think he will be good for us as Chicken Inn,” Antipas said.
Antipas expects more new arrivals with sources saying they are eyeing Bulawayo City’s young defender Mpumelelo Bhebhe with the coach admitting his defence has been poor this year.
Veterans Moses Jackson and Guide Goddard could be on their way out.
“If you look at the league this year, FC Platinum ran away with the league. We were 12 points behind them and Dynamos were five points behind us. We have to try and catch up with the rest especially FC Platinum, so we have to bring in players to strengthen the side not just for the sack of bringing in the players,” Antipas said.
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The Chicken Inn gaffer reckons the season was competitive but was hugely affected by the COVID-19 break in 2020.
“It was a competitive season, it ended up with FC Platinum running away with the league title but the rest of us competed well and I thought we did well coming up number two. But we need to up our game and I think what affected us was the COVID-19 break where we were out of the game for more or less 18 months. It takes a toll on the players but I believe now we are back and things can improve especially on the playing field,” Antipas said.
Goalkeeper Donovan Bernard was voted Chicken Inn Player of the Year, shrugging off challenges from Brian Muza and Xolani Ndlovu to walk away US$1 000 richer.
Ndlovu picked up $700 for the Players’ Player of the Year award beating other contestants Muza and Donovan.
Muza’s Top Goal Scorer award carried a cash prize of $600 while for the Goal of the Season, Brett Amidu got $650.
The Most Improved Player of the Season award with a $250 prize tag went to Itai Mabunu under challenge from Munashe Pini and Malvin Gaki with Richard Hachiro also getting $250 for being the Most Disciplined Player.
Young Player of the Year is Arthur Chinda who also was rewarded with $250 and Jackson got a similar amount for being the Most Loyal Player to the club.
At the awards ceremony, Chicken Inn were also presented with the silver medals for being the league’s runners-up.
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