mbulelo smpofu
Innocent Kurira, innocent.kurira@chronicle.co.zw
DANNY “Deco” Phiri, the 35-year-old Chicken Inn midfield enforcer, has dismissed speculation about his retirement, stating that he is still available to play for another season.
Phiri, who has had a great career with Chicken Inn and Golden Arrows in South Africa, revealed that he is not yet ready to hang up his boots.
“I am still around to play. It’s not true that I have hung my boots yet. If there is anything, I will surely let you know, but for now, I am still looking forward to delivering on the field of play,” Phiri said.
Phiri, who was a key player for Chicken Inn when they won the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title in 2015, added that he is eager to continue playing and contributing to his team’s success.
“I am not ready to retire yet. I still have a lot to offer, and I am excited about the prospect of playing another season. I will continue to work hard and give my best, and I am confident that I can still make a meaningful contribution to my team,” Phiri said.
Phiri’s decision to continue playing is a boost for Chicken Inn, who are reportedly grooming him for a coaching role.
Sources close to the club indicate that Phiri is being lined up to take over as a coach at the club, following in the footsteps of Guide Goddard and Ben Nyahunzvi, who have both made the transition from playing to coaching at the club.
Phiri’s career has been marked by numerous highlights, including his stint with Golden Arrows in South Africa, where he played alongside fellow Zimbabweans Kudakwashe Mahachi, Devine Lunga and Knox Mutizwa.
He has also represented Zimbabwe in both the Chan and Afcon competitions.
Phiri, under coach Joey Antipas, won the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with Chicken Inn in 2015, the year he was crowned Soccer Star of the Year.
Deco began his career in the topflight league with the now-defunct Railstars before signing up for Bantu Rovers, where he played in 2009 and 2010 before crossing the floor to Chicken Inn in 2011.
He played and captained Chicken Inn up to 2015 and attracted the interest of South African side, Golden Arrows in 2016, but his career there was affected by injuries until he was offloaded in 2021.
He played for Bulawayo Chiefs in the 2023 season before re-joining the Gamecocks at the start of this season. — @innocentskizoe
