The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube
Sports Correspondent
THE once promising career of Chicken Inn defender-cum-midfielder Guide Goddard seems to be in limbo following a decision by the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions not to register him for this season despite renewing his contract in December last year.
The club did not inform him in time of the technical department’s decision not to include him in the 2016 squad hence he could not make a move to another club. Goddard can only return to the pitch during the mid-season transfer window period in July. The other option is for the Gamecocks to let him go as a free agent.
Goddard’s woes began when he was sidelined for six months due to a knee injury in 2013 and he has since struggled to find a place in the first team although he made 15 appearances last season.
The former Highlanders player expressed frustration at the current state of affairs saying he had been hoping to get regular game time after recovering from injury.
He said it was unfortunate he sustained the injury at a time there was a new coach at the club, Joey Antipas, whom he feels has overlooked him for other players. Despite not being registered, Goddard, a former Zimbabwe Under-17, Under-20, Under-23 international, is training with the Gamecocks.
“I can’t blame the coach because he knows the players he wants and maybe I don’t fit into his type of play. When he came I had been laid off due to injury maybe I haven’t been able to impress him. A soccer player’s career is too short and being out of the field is the worst thing ever. I do not know why they did not inform me early so I seek a loan move,” said Goddard.
He was, however, quick to point out that he would bid his time and wait for his turn as he was still part of Chicken Inn set up and was looking forward to playing for the side in the second half of the season.
Goddard showed a lot of promise in the junior ranks and was romped into the national under-17 team that did duty at the African Championships in 2005 in Gambia where he played against the likes of Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel of Nigeria.
He was capped 12 times at Under-17 national level, 13 times (Under 20) and three times at Under-23.
