Chicken Inn Strengthens Technical Bench with Former Players and New Coaching Team

New Chicken Inn Technical Team

By Staff Reporter

Chicken Inn Football Club has moved decisively to deepen its technical bench and honour club loyalty by integrating former players into key backroom roles ahead of the new season. The club’s recent appointments blend playing experience with technical expertise, signalling a strategic push to align coaching, performance analysis, and player welfare under a cohesive structure.

At the centre of the reshuffle is Tafadzwa Kutinyu, a former GameCocks midfielder who played for Tanzanian side Singida before a career‑ending injury. Kutinyu has been appointed performance analyst for the senior team, a role he transitioned into after undertaking data and performance training in 2024. His appointment reflects a growing trend in Zimbabwean football where ex‑players move into analytics and sports science roles to extend their careers off the pitch.

The club has also bolstered its developmental pathway by naming Guide Goddard head coach of the developmental side competing in the ZIFA Bulawayo Province Division Two League. Goddard, a former Chicken Inn captain and last season’s second assistant to Joey Antipas, will be supported by ex‑club defender Ben Nyahunzvi and former skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri. The trio’s local knowledge and leadership are expected to strengthen youth development and create a clearer pipeline to the first team.

Administrative and technical appointments round out the club’s restructuring. Clemence Matawu, another former captain, has been named club administrator, while the senior coaching team will be led by championship‑winning coach Tonderai Ndiraya, assisted by Naison Machekela and Fortune “Fokoza” Ncube. The club has also appointed Zvanai Kawadza as goalkeepers’ coach, replacing Energy Murambadoro, and added specialists, including Lennon Gwara (masseur), Webster Chadzamire (physiotherapist), Tendai Chituwa (conditioning coach), and Tatenda Munyaradzi (data analyst and team manager).

Secretary‑general Tavengwa Hara framed the appointments as part of a broader effort to meet FIFA club licensing requirements while rewarding loyalty. “These players have been loyal to the club and deserve to be rewarded,” Hara said, emphasising the club’s commitment to developing young talent and institutional capacity. He described the new hires as the “backbone of our future ambitions,” underscoring a dual focus on heritage and professionalisation.

The club’s strategy aims to combine institutional memory with modern coaching methods. By embedding former players in technical and administrative roles, Chicken Inn seeks to preserve club culture while upgrading performance systems. The presence of a dedicated data analyst and conditioning coach indicates a shift toward evidence‑based training and injury prevention, areas that have become essential in competitive leagues.

For supporters, the appointments offer continuity and hope. The blend of experienced coaches and homegrown talent is designed to stabilise performance and nurture the next generation of players. As the season approaches, Chicken Inn’s restructured technical team will be judged on its ability to translate these changes into consistent results on the pitch and a sustainable development model off it.