Antipas’ side, at one stage perilously close to the relegation position, have since leapt to relative safety after a series of positive results.
The former Motor Action boss remained aware the battle was not yet over, and credited Matawu for emerging as the driving force in a side shorn of top talent, after they lost Kuda Mahachi and Tendai Ndoro to the Absa Premiership.
“He is still the same old player. He has lost none of his abilities, still very creative and very hardworking. He has been very instrumental for us. He has been our key player,” said Antipas.
Matawu’s creativity has, however, not always had the impact it deserves largely due to a blunt strike force.
Chicken Inn strikers have not been scoring as regularly as they should and efforts to bring in re-enforcements in mid-season only netted Last Chibwiro, whom Antipas said was overweight and unfit.
The side’s misfiring strikers include Mkhokheli Dube, Ishmael Lawe and Tendai Mukambi. The defence has fared better with the impressive partnership of Moses Jackson and 20-year- old Lawrence Mhlanga.
The youthful Mhlanga, in particular, has made a huge impression on his coach, who said; “He is a towering figure in defence. He is tall, he tackles well reads the game. He has the potential to become one of the top defenders in the country and I have no doubt that he can do a very good job for the Under-23s.”
Antipas has also been grooming young midfielders George Majita and Toto Banda, as well as 18-year-old left-back Design Lunga, products of the team’s junior structures.
Post published in: Football