VERY few, if any, Zimbabwean football fans had ever heard of England-born defender Adam Chicksen before his inclusion in Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa’s squad for a four-team tournament in Zambia was announced.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The 26-year-old left-back, who plays for Bradford City in League One, the third tier of English football, is one of the three United Kingdom-based players named in the squad together with fellow defender Cliff Moyo of FC Halifax Town and Alec Mudimu, who plays for Welsh top-flight side Cefn Druids.
Chicksen has been slowly establishing himself at Bradford City after a frustrating start to life at the Bantams following his move from Charlton Athletic in June last year.
Having fractured his cheekbone on debut, Chicksen returned only to then suffer a serious tear to his thigh in mid-October, by his own admission the worst possible start for someone who was eager to make a big impact at Valley Parade.
“Everyone has targets and goals when they go to a new club,” Chicksen told the Yorkshire Post.
“But, after the bad luck I had, all I can do is dust myself down and get on with it. The one thing that kept me positive is my performances have been there when I have played. I want to play my part and there is a lot of football still to be played. The most important part of the season is still to come. Hopefully, I can make a big impact.” Like the true professional that he is, Chicken dusted himself down and has been a key figure at Bradford City side since his return making 15 appearances. Bradford currently occupy 10th position on the League One standings with 50 points from 35 matches.
Warriors team manager Wellington Mupandare reckons Chicksen, who will fly straight to Zambia tomorrow, will be a valuable addition to the national team due to his versatility.
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“He is a versatile defender who can use both feet, so he provides options for the coach both at right-back and left-back. He will definitely add a lot of value to the national side and we are looking forward to having him in the team together with the other new additions,” Mupandare
