The Sunday News
Phineas Mukwazo, Sports Editor
WHEN Zimbabwe League Champions Chicken Inn take on Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in a Caf Champions League preliminary match, they will be meeting an expensively assembled side with manpower totalling a market value of 10,13 million pounds sterling (about US$14,8 million).
The first match leg is slated for 14 February at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo with the return leg set for South Africa two weeks later. Infact the total market value of their goalkeeping department that comprise a Zambian, a Ugandan and two South Africans is 718 000 pounds (about US$1,05m).
Sundowns, who are owned by billionaire mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, boast of a squad size of 39 players whose average age is 27,7. They have 12 foreign players who make 30,8 percent of the squad. Among their foreign contingent is the Zimbabwean duo of right winger Khama Billiat and centre forward Cuthbert Malajila.
The 25-year-old Billiat, whose contract expires on 30 June, is valued at 665 000 pounds while 30-year-old Malajila, who is contracted to the Brazilians until June 2018, is worth 350 000 pounds.
Sundowns are said to offer players annual salaries of between R1,5 million to R4,5 million a year, while their monthly salaries range from R40 000 for those who are still coming from their development ranks up to as much as R450 000 for senior players every month. The figures are minus signing on fees and winning bonuses.
While Chicken Inn boast of only one League Championship, the Southern African team have won six in their country since the inception of the SA PSL in 1996.
Among the foreign contingents that have played for the Brazilians, Zimbabwe to date has the highest number at 10 players, who made a total of 494 appearances scoring a whopping 83 goals.
This is by far a huge contribution as compared to second-placed Zambia on eight players, who have, to date, scored only five goals in combined 74 appearances.
The Zimbabweans include current players Billiat and Malajila, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Tinashe Abrahams, Simba Sithole, Lionel Mutizwa, Nyasha Mushekwi, Method Mwanjali, Peter Ndlovu, and Esrom Nyandoro, the longest serving with 163 appearances.
Among Sundowns’ key players in a star-studded line-up are Ugandan national team goalkeeper Denis Onyango, right back and captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele, centreback Wayne Arendse, holding midfielder Hlompho Kekana, central midfielder Bongani Zungu, Keegan Dolly, Colombian Leonardo Castro, who have formed a deadly partnership with Down’s Zimbabwean talisman Billiat and Malajila, among others.
On paper, in terms of their wealth, depth and talent Sundowns will appear a heavy load for the Gamecocks.
Former Sunday News and Chronicle Sports Correspondent Lovemore Moyo, who now writes for respected SA soccer magazine Kickoff, thinks the Zimbabwe Champions might brew a shocker.
“For me the challenge is that I haven’t really watched much of Chicken Inn, so I am not too sure how good a team they are. But then the fact is that for a modest club like them to win the league in Zimbabwe it surely means they are capable of even standing up to whatever Sundowns throws at them,’’ said Moyo.
“The truth of the matter is that clubs from most sub-Saharan countries always raise their game when they come up against South African clubs because they realise that this is a chance to market themselves. In as much as I don’t expect Chicken Inn to win, I don’t expect them to be walloped. I think they can stand up to all the blows that Sundowns will throw in their direction,’’ he added.
Former Highlanders Football Club and Zimbabwe national team defender Alexander “Cool Ruler’’ Maseko predicted a tough match for the Bulawayo-based side.
“I am aware definitely Sundowns have an upper hand because they have been involved in these type of competitions before.
As for Chicken Inn I hope the players are delighted to showcase their skills especially in the Champion’s League for the first time. I believe its going to be tough for them and hope they give Sundowns a good run,’’ said Johannesburg-based Maseko.
But as they say miracles don’t happen, but in soccer they happen, you just have to believe.
Someone once said train HARD and fight EASY. And perhaps that is the tonic that Chicken Inn needs to take tame a goliath known as Mamelodi Sundowns come next month.
