Cloud Fusire and Tadious Manyepo
DYNAMOS have pleaded with one of their creditors, CBZ Bank, for dialogue after the bank applied for a court order this week to garnish the club’s accounts as part of efforts to dissolve a debt of seven years. CBZ approached the High Court of Zimbabwe accusing the Glamour Boys of failing to comply with a 2012 court judgment which compelled them to pay back a $250 000 debt.

The courts empowered the Premier Soccer League to garnish DeMbare’s income from gate-takings.

However, the bank said the order had been difficult to implement due to DeMbare’s inability to comply.

Dynamos chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa yesterday said they were yet to receive court papers from the bank in the latest episode.

Mupfurutsa told The Herald Dynamos have been making efforts to settle their debts and were ready to engage the bank for a way forward.

“We know it’s their right and choice to re-approach the courts on the same matter which we believe was solved a long time ago.

“But we think it was good for both of us to engage in dialogue and if it fails then they can approach the courts.

“But they have chosen the court route which we respect, if they serve us with court papers our lawyers will respond accordingly,” said Mupfurutsa.

CBZ, in their latest application, are seeking variation of the 2012 judgment to extend to the other sources of the club’s income, which include the accounts used to receive funds from their principal sponsors NetOne and Nyaradzo.

“The Premier Soccer League is bound by the 2012 High Court order to facilitating the process of repaying the debt that we owe CBZ bank.

“We have been complying with that court order, all our gate takings during the matches and other income we get, the PSL have been collecting the money and giving it to the bank’s lawyers.

“We have our records to prove that.

“I think CBZ are trying to have variation of the 2012 court judgment, because I have read their court application circulating through social media.

“They are mentioning the accounts from our sponsors such as NetOne and Nyaradzo to be garnished. But they are failing to realise that the money any club gets from sponsors is not an income,” said Mupfurutsa.

Meanwhile, Dynamos board chairman, Bernard Marriot Lusengo, has broken his silence on the administrative problems bedevilling the Glamour Boys.

The veteran administrator, who is the only surviving member of the original Dynamos of 1963, also hit back at Chimurenga music guru, Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, who questioned his leadership style last week.

“Let me put the record straight. Dynamos is a wholly-owned company team whose support base is anchored in the citizenry of this country,’’ said Marriot.

“It is unfortunate that there are some misguided elements who think they can gather and claim ownership of the club.

“Even Thomas Mapfumo, for whom I have a lot of respect as a musician, has also been misled into believing that Nathan Maziti has been frozen out yet Maziti is late and for the record he was from Zimunya not Murehwa.

“Ernest Kamba joined Dynamos in 1967 and wasn’t there when the club was formed so Mukanya (Mapfumo) cannot claim to know anything about the Dynamos history.”

He also explained the board’s decision to dissolve the club president post, which ousted Solomon Sanyamandwe from the Harare giants’ executive.

Sanyamandwe has vowed to challenge his dismissal which he has blamed on his fallout with Dynamos treasurer Moses Chikwariro and secretary-general Webster Marecherera instead.

“When we had Kenny Mubaiwa as president, we didn’t have a chairman and he chaired the executive committee. This time we will just have the club chairman leading the executive committee which is a leaner structure.

“Everything is well at Dynamos. We will let those making noise make it but that will not disrupt our attention ahead of the 2019 season. We need to improve from what we did last term.”

Source : The Herald

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By Helge Schütz
Zimbabwe’s women’s cricket team went 4-0 up in the Namib Desert Challenge with a commanding 69-run victory over Namibia on Wednesday.

Sent in to bat, Zimbabwe piled up 150 runs for two wickets and then restricted Namibia to 81 for eight wickets off their 20 overs.

Namibia got an early breakthrough in Zimbabwe’s innings when Precious Marange was dismissed for a duck by Sylvia Shihepo, while Chipo Tiripano was bowled for 18 by Eveleen Kejarukua.

Mary Anne Musonda, however, joined opener Modester Mupachikwa to put Zimbabwe in command with an unbeaten century partnership for the third wicket.

Mupachikwa eventually scored 75 not out off 63 balls which included 10 fours, while Musonda scored 45 not out which included four fours.

For Namibia, Sylvia Shihepo took one wicket for 18 runs and Eveleen Kejarukua one wicket for 19.

Namibia lost Roche Venter early in their run chase for one run, but Adri van der Merwe and Yasmeen Kahn revived their innings with a 36-run partnership.

Van der Merwe’s dismissal for 28, however, started a slide from which they could not recover as the wickets fell at regular intervals.

Kahn was dismissed for 17, while the only other batsman to reach double figures was Sune Wittmann with 16, as Namibia could only muster 81 for eight wickets off their 20 overs, to hand Zimbabwe a comfortable victory.

Anesu Mushangwe was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, taking three wickets for nine runs off four overs, while Chiedza Mzembe took 2/17 off four overs.

The final T20 international between the two teams takes place at the Sparta Ground on Thursday.

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By Cloud Fusire
HARARE Athletics Board secretary-general, Sledge Chinyoka, is confident the province will bag more medals at this year’s edition of the annual inter-provincial cross-country championships scheduled for Kwekwe next month. The province will this weekend hold a selection contest at Prince Edward School in preparation for the big event.

The inter-provincial meet will bring together the best athletes from across Zimbabwe at Torwood in Redcliff, just outside Kwekwe, on February 7.

And to prepare for the event, Chinyoka said the HAB will hold a selection event on Saturday at Prince Edward School meant to choose the best 25 athletes from the seven districts of Harare.

“We have seven districts under Harare Province, including Chitungwiza, Mbare-Highfield and Warren Park, where we are going to select 25 best and talented athletes that include 15 seniors and 10 juniors,” said Chinyoka.

“This year we are aiming for better results. We want to double our medals tally from last year and become the champions.

“That is why we are holding this selection event early so that we will have more time to prepare with those that will qualify to represent our province in Torwood next month.”

Among the participants in the selection event scheduled for Saturday will be Chitungwiza-based Canisious Nyamutsita, who won the 2017 Bulawayo 10km men road race, and last year’s Soweto women race winner Bertha Chikanga.

Chinyoka urged the athletes to desist from using prohibited drugs during the events.

“As we are preparing for this big event, we know that the temptation for the athletes to try and use prohibited substances is very high.

“But we are trying our best to educate our athletes on the dangers of using drugs and doing awareness campaigns so as to preserve the sport and promote fair competition all the time,” said Chinyoka.

source: the herald

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By Tadious Manyepo
New Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Erol Akbay is expected in the country this week, amid high expectations the Dutch mentor will transform the Mhondoro team into a championship-winning side.

The former Highlanders mentor was appointed in December last year following the sacking of Tonderai Ndiraya two months earlier.

Clifton Kadurira, who was Ndiraya’s assistant, carried the torch on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.

But Akbay has decided not to retain him in his technical team.

Instead, the Dutchman has appointed his former assistant at Bosso, Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu, and ex-FC Platinum coach Tendai Chikuni as his understudies.

The team confirmed the new appointments in a statement yesterday.

“Following the announcement of Erol Akbay as the new head coach of Ngezi Platinum Stars, the club also wishes to announce the appointments of Tendai Chikuni and Cosmas Zulu as assistant coaches to bolster the technical team.

“The technical team has undergone a transformation which will rejuvenate the club and translate into some exciting football on the field of play.

“The board and executive team are confident that the transformation of the technical team will ensure that Ngezi Platinum Stars continue to delight its supporters and sponsors.

“We welcome the new members to the club and wish them well in their new roles,” read the statement.

Kadurira, who guided the team into the top-flight league, has not been discarded as he has been re-deployed into the developmental structures of the ambitious club.

Ngezi were heavily tipped to win the 2018 league title after a flying start to the season which saw them going for the opening 13 matches without defeat.

But, they somehow lost the bite mid-way through the marathon ,and allowed eventual winners FC Platinum to seize the initiative.

Midfielder Walter Mukanga has left and joined Harare City with the club’s 2018 Player of the Year Godknows Murwira electing to play in the CAF Champions League with FC Platinum.

Striker Clive Augusto has signed for Chicken Inn.

Regulars Tichaona Mabvura, Xolisani Moyo and Keith Murera are also reportedly considering their future away from Baobab.

But, it’s not all gloomy as it may appear for the team which has not made it a secret they will be gunning for the title in 2019.

“Akbay (Erol) is arriving in the country to start the pre-season preparations in a few days’ time. We are working on the papers, and they are almost ready. He should be arriving very soon,” said club chairman Jeremiah Gasitene.

He said the team were not in a panic mode even after losing some of their best players.

Left-back Qadr Amini, who spent the entire 2018 on the sidelines while recuperating from a delicate knee operation, has fully recovered and ready for the coming season.

Striker Simba Nhivi, who was fished from CAPS United during the mid-season window last year but got injured before he could represent the miners, returned to action in the final two games of the season.

The club has also been linked with defender Peter Muduwa, whose contract with Highlanders ran out at the end of last year.

source: the herald

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Rashiwe Murisa Sports Reporter
TELONE head coach Joel Lupahla believes his side has the capacity to compete in their debut season in the Premier Soccer League which commences in March. The Wi-Fi boys gained promotion after winning the Central Region Division One championship ahead of army side Tongogara, who have since been banned for two seasons on disciplinary grounds.

The team finished the season on 44 points to join Eastern Region’s Manica Diamonds, Mushowani Stars from the Northern Region and Hwange, who were the Southern Regions champions, into the elite league.

However, the newboys are not likely to go out of their way to boost their squad like what has been happening with their peers Manica Diamonds.

Lupahla revealed that his team will be using Ascot stadium as their home ground for Premier League games.

“We are using Ascot Stadium but we are training at Zim Alloys for the pre-season preparations. Our boys need to be fit for the season. We understand that there is stiff competition and most of our boys don’t have Premier League experience so we need to work extra hard,” he said.

The former Highlanders and Warriors winger hopes to avoid relegation in their debutant season and stay in the Premier League for long. “My target is to stay in the Premier League and groom more youngsters. I hope to get at least two or three players from the national Under-20 team that was in Zambia for the COSAFA CUP late last year because I believe in nurturing young talent,’’ added Lupahla.

Despite losing midfielder Pride Zivengwa to giants CAPS Utd, the Gweru-based side are not going to take on board big names as they are operating on a limited budget. “We are working with a minimal budget so we may not contract new players for the coming season. However, we are confident with our old players because they steered the ship into the Premier League. They will be competitive,” he said.

source: newsday

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Veronica Gwaze Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Netball Association-run league is on the verge of collapse, as it is likely to lose some of their affiliated teams to its rival the Rainbow Netball Amateur Netball League ahead of the 2019 netball season.

This comes amid revelations that more teams are contemplating to move from the former to the latter for various reasons that include lack of professionalism and lack of motivation.

Last year the ZINA Netball Super League had 12 teams after 11 others left to join RANL.

The amateur league marked its maiden season with more than 150 teams that fall under Division One, Two and the National League. Since inception, the new baby has been seeking to affiliate to the national association but common grounds could not be reached, leaving the netball family divided into two.

RANL continued to run under the social league banner with 11 national league teams in their maiden season and if word is anything to go by, more teams are joining this coming season. The season is set to resume in March with teams already affiliating.

Sources revealed that Zimbabwe Republic Police side ZRP Mambas are one of the teams considering to move to RANL.

The Police side finished off as champions of 2018 netball season under ZINA but they were irked in the manner in which they were handed their trophy.

In a whatsapp chat possessed by the publication, Mambas team officials were expressing their displeasure over ZINA conduct.

“We are going to RANL why should we wait for such a disorganised Association. Wakamboona kupi association inotadza kuita proper trophy presentation.

“Kuita trophy yekutumira, they are not professional and we certainly cannot deal with such,” reads part of the conversation.

Ngezi Platinum Queens, Golden Valley and ZRP PPU have also been linked to issues connected to leaving the ZINA Super League.

Another disgruntled source revealed that the division of these two leagues affected their standards of play with most competitive teams having joined RANL.

“We have been in the Super League for years and not even once have we gotten anything for motivation save for what out clubs do for us despite the huge affiliation amounts we pay.

“We actually regret taking this long to join RANL because look at how organised they are and what they have achieved in just one season.

“Yes it is about passion but our players also need motivation. What sort of association is it that they cannot organise a simple trophy handover ceremony? The winning team has to follow up or go and pick it themselves.

“Furthermore, these guys do not even have offices so how do sponsors even trust someone who has no office.

“Where they follow up and if we are to improve, they need to be financially accountable as well,” said a source.

ZINA have been running for years without proper offices and their constitution does not give room for registration of other leagues running under separate management committees despite article nine of their constitution providing for provision of an amateur league.

Last year, the Sports Commission advised ZINA to relook into their constitution and also come up with the rules and regulations for the amateur league, something which is yet to materialise.

RANL benefactor Aaron Chinhara said there is need for the two sides to work together and pave a way that restores a respectable image for Zimbabwean netball.

With an initial injection of $250 000 towards the league’s first season, Chinhara doubled the figure ahead of the 2019 season.

For the first time in the history of netball in the country, Chinhara hosted an honors event at which top performers were awarded.

Champions where honored with $20 000 while first and second runners-up walked away with $18 000 and $14 000 respectively.

“In our first season, we had more than 150 teams which made up regional and national leagues.

“We had a very successful season and that alone I believe proved a point and that should mean something for the association.

“For the record, my intention has never been to destroy netball but mere distribution of workload whereby the association would be left with less burden while we focus more on the league.

“My idea was of sharing the load, leaving ZINA maybe to focus much on overseeing affairs and overally the national teams but unfortunately they never saw my good intentions,” said Chinhara.

In the event that more teams join the amateur league, Chinhara expressed confidence over his capacity to maintain a fine run.

“Last season we used only $250 000 and everything went well; come season two, we have doubled figures to $500 000 so even if all teams come under RANL, we have enough money to sustain them.

“Besides, RANL was formed to transform the life of a girl child and even if it calls for a top up, we are prepared to go an extra mile and ensure her (netballer’s) life and safety are not under siege,” said Chinhara.

source: newsday

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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
AS FC Platinum plunge into battle in the CAF Champions League group match against South African giants Orlando Pirates at Barbourfields this afternoon, supporters’ grouping, Friends of the Warriors, has urged Zimbabweans to create a volcanic atmosphere which will work in favour of the Zvishavane team.

The Norman Mapeza-led team was forced to shift base for the group games after their Mandava fortress was condemned by CAF.

They are in Group B along with holders Esperance of Tunisia, Guinea’s Horoya as well as their opponents this afternoon.

Pirates command a huge following especially in Bulawayo where their relationship with Highlanders is well documented.

Whilst the Zimbabwean representatives have made their own efforts to ferry supporters from their Zvishavane base, other clubs such as Chicken Inn have been lobbying their fans to rally behind them as a sign of patriotism.

And the supporters have added their voice, encouraging each other to join hands for FC Platinum’s cause.

Friends of the Warriors president, Edward Chimedza, said the fans should put aside their club differences and unite for the good of the country’s football.

He said FC Platinum haven’t got a huge support base as other clubs like CAPS United, Dynamos and Highlanders but Zimbabweans need to unite since the team is fighting a national cause.

“As Friends of Warriors, we acknowledge that most of Zimbabwean soccer followers support Orlando Pirates in the ABSA Premiership. It’s a fact that they are charming and one of the giants of African football as per records.

“But, all that should not sway us into rallying behind them whilst they are playing one of our own. If FC Platinum go all the way or even manage to find a way to the quarter-finals, it means Zimbabwe’s football stocks will rise.

“We also very much appreciate the fact that FC Platinum are rivals to other clubs sin the domestic scene but that again cannot be good-reason enough to turn against our own team whose performance in this competition will be a yardstick to measure our domestic league’s competitiveness,” said Chimedza.

He said they have put some logistics for the Harare Chapter supporters as well as others from across the country to be able to travel to Bulawayo.

Secretary-general of the grouping, Zivanai Muwashu, said their Bulawayo colleagues, led by Lyn Green, have been lobbying supporters to come in their numbers and create an electric atmosphere at Barbourfields.

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ZIMBABWE Cricket has congratulated the women’s national team on their comprehensive 5-0 series victory over Namibia in the Namib Desert Women’s T20 Challenge played in Walvis Bay during the past week.

In a statement, Zimbabwe Cricket acting managing director, Givemore Makoni, said they are happy with the way the team performed during their visit to Namibia.

“On behalf of the ZC board, management and staff, I send our warmest congratulations to every member of the Zimbabwe women’s national team – from captain Mary-Anne Musonda and coach Adam Chifo to every player and member of the technical staff – on your absolutely fantastic series victory over Namibia. “It is a really outstanding achievement and we followed all the action with immense pride and excitement as you flew our Zimbabwe flag high. “You are a talented group and we especially want to acknowledge the team’s hard work and determination,” Makoni said. In the first match played last Saturday, Zimbabwe restricted their hosts to 96 for five in 20 overs, with Josephine Nkomo taking three wickets for 12 runs in her four overs, before the visitors replied with 98 for four in 18.1 overs for a six-wicket victory. Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano was voted player of the match for her unbeaten 40. The next day, Mugeri-Tiripano was given the player of the match award again after scoring 31 not-out to help the visitors to an eight-wicket win.

With Musonda leading the side from the front in her first series as captain, Zimbabwe made 136 for eight in 20 overs, the skipper starring with 60 off her bat, before they restricted Namibia to 79 for nine to record a 57-run victory in the third match played on Monday. In their fourth meeting on Wednesday, the Chifo-coached side defeated their hosts by 69 runs with Modester Mupachikwa scoring an unbeaten 75 and Musonda 45 not-out as they amassed 150 for two from 20 overs. Anesu Mushangwe took three wickets for nine runs while 16-year-old debutante Chiedza Mzembe grabbed two for 17.

On Thursday, Zimbabwe completed the whitewash series victory with a nine-wicket win after they had skittled Namibia for 60 in 20 overs, thanks to Nomatter Mutasa’s four wickets for nine runs and Precious Marange’s three for five. They easily chased down the target in 9.3 overs, as Marange top-scored with 32 not out. ZC has pledged to give maximum support to the women’s team. “As we look to build on the success of the just-ended Namibia tour, we wish to assure you that ZC will continue doing all it can in support of your efforts to reach the highest level of the game,” Makoni said.

“We urge you to stay focused and may you continue giving us all such wonderfully exciting and inspiring performances.”

The victorious team is expected to arrive back in Harare tonight.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s perfect start as Manchester United’s caretaker manager faces its stiffest test when the Norwegian goes head-to-head with reportedly United’s preferred target for the job on a full-time basis in Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino.

After a brief lull for FA Cup duties last weekend, Liverpool and Manchester City also renew their battle for the title, while at the other end of the table four of the bottom five meet in two relegation six-pointers.

United have swept aside more limited opposition in Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Newcastle in the league and Reading in the FA Cup since Solskjaer took charge to close the gap on the top four to six points.

However, they remain 10 points adrift of third-placed Spurs with Pochettino’s stock continuing to rise this season for keeping Tottenham in contention across four competitions despite working with a fraction of the resources on offer at Old Trafford.

Spurs moved another step closer to winning their first trophy under the Argentine by beating Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

But while Pochettino’s men have had to keep grinding after a gruelling festive period, United have had the luxury of a free week to head off to Dubai on a mid-season training camp.

“As you can imagine, it’s quite a happy camp. When you’re winning football matches, you can’t put a price on the feeling that gives you, and the confidence and the belief,” said United coach Michael Carrick, who has formed an important part of Solskjaer’s backroom staff.

“You almost sense a calmness when you’re winning games. It’s great to see the lads enjoying themselves. The football’s flowing, the training’s good, they’re bouncing around the place, and it’s nice to see.”

United have scored 16 goals in their last five games in stark contrast to the football often devoid of inspiration that came to characterise Jose Mourinho’s final days in charge.

Solskjaer has rejuvenated Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku among others and should the visitors strike a potentially decisive blow to Spurs’ title hopes tomorrow, the caretaker boss will do his chances of earning the job on a full-time basis no harm at all.

The Premier League’s festive fixture list ended with arguably the best game of the season so far as City inflicted Liverpool’s first league defeat of the season to reduce the gap at the top to four points.

A much-changed Liverpool also crashed out of the FA Cup to Wolves on Monday, but that may ultimately help their case to end a 29-year wait to win the league.

Jurgen Klopp now has more time to prepare for a run of five very winnable fixtures before facing Bayern Munich in the Champions League that begins at Brighton today with Leicester, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Bournemouth to come.

Victory at the Amex will open up a seven-point advantage at the top once more with City not in action until Monday when Wolves visit the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola’s men have smashed 16 goals past lower league Rotherham and Burton in Cup action in the past two games, but Wolves have proven to be a thorn in the side of all the top six in their first season back in the top flight.

City were held 1-1 at Molineux earlier in the season and Wolves have also won at Spurs and drawn away to Arsenal and Manchester United.

Already eight points adrift of safety, Huddersfield realistically have to avoid a 10th straight defeat when they travel to Cardiff today to avoid the drop.

“The reality at the minute is that I’m not happy because we, and I, haven’t delivered what we expect. I, and we, have to turn this,” said manager David Wagner.

Fulham’s victory over the Terriers just before the end of the year has given Claudio Ranieri’s men more chance of staying up and victory at Burnley could pull them to within one point of safety.

English Premiership Fixtures (all 5pm unless otherwise stated)

Today: West Ham United v Arsenal (2:30pm); Cardiff City v Huddersfield Town; Leicester City v Southampton; Crystal Palace v Watford; Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool; Burnley v Fulham; Chelsea v Newcastle United (7:30pm).

Tomorrow: Everton v Bournemouth (4:15pm); Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United (6:30pm).

Monday: Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers (10pm).

source: the herald

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CBZ Holdings are set to hold their first ever marathon event later this month at the Old Georgians Sports Club.

The event, to be run under the theme “Run the Distance”, is scheduled for January 27. Registration of the participants opens on January 18 and closes two days before the race.

Athletes will battle for supremacy in the 5km, 10km, 21.1km as well as the main 42.2km marathon with some prizes up for grabs. Above all, it will also act as a qualifier for the prestigious Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades ultra-marathon to be held in South Africa later this year.

The bank’s Group Executive Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Laura Gwatiringa, said the event is open for all citizens. “The race is open to all citizens inclusive of professional runners as it is going to be a qualifier for both the 2019 edition of the Old Mutual Two Oceans and the Comrades Marathons.

“We have made provision for a total of 1 000 participants; therefore, we are urging our runners to register early to avoid disappointments. “However, even if we surpass 1 000 participants, it will be a milestone for our inaugural marathon, so let us come in our numbers to cheer on as our family members, partners, friends and fellow citizens take on the CBZ marathon.

“We will be giving out prizes and medals to all winners. We will announce the prizes and specific routes to be used in the event to the media by Wednesday next week,” said Gwatiringa.

CBZ are known to have involved themselves in sport through their sponsorship of football, cricket and rugby and they are now venturing into marathon.

“Although we have supported other sports like soccer, cricket, rugby, and darts inter alia; we had not yet started participating actively in the marathon space hence our inaugural marathon that has already started to generate a lot of interest and enthusiasm given the levels and numbers of enquiries we are getting through our various touch points,’’ said Gwatiringa. CBZ Safety, Health and Wellness Manager, Fenia Kupeta, encouraged the people to participate in the event saying it promotes good health and wellness, in line with the Government’’s policy on health and wellness campaign.

“It is very important for families and individuals to take part in such an event because it benefits them positively, as it is proven that people who participate in physical exercises such as running will have higher levels of productivity especially at work and lower levels of stress,” said Kupeta.

source:the herald

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer accepts “there is a reason” why Mauricio Pochettino is being linked with the Manchester United job next summer as he prepares to take on the Tottenham boss at Wembley tomorrow.

While caretaker manager Solskjaer wants to convince the Old Trafford hierarchy to hand him the role permanently after five straight wins in charge, Pochettino continues to be touted as the favourite.

“He’s done a very good job,” said Solskjaer. “The speculation is there for a reason because he’s done well, but it’s not my job to rate different managers. My focus is on me and my team.” The Norwegian hopes to cut the 10-point gap between United and Spurs as he chases a top-four place, by masterminding a first away win over their opponents since 2012.

He confirmed that Paul Pogba will be available after recovering from a leg injury on the club’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai this week.

“He looked okay towards the end so he’ll be fit,” said Solskjaer. “He did have some problems but came through the last couple of sessions well. “We’ve had tests. Newcastle away is a test and the first game (at Cardiff) how everyone reacted is a test. The first home game with the crowd is a test. Every single game you get tested, but this is against a top, top side. If we want to go closer and get past them, we need a good performance and a good result. “You always adapt to any opponent. They are one of best in the league so we have to be aware of their strengths. But we need to attack teams, that is our strength – going forward, attacking. We have to.

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Former Zimbabwe national cricket team captain Graeme Cremer has temporarily put his cricket career on hold due to family commitments.

The 32-year-old leg-spinner, who recently relocated from Harare to join his pilot wife who is now based in Dubai, said he was taking a break from the game in order to be with his family.

“With my wife always away flying, I now have a full-time job looking after the kids and settling them into this new environment,” Cremer said.

“I am hoping this may only be temporary, so I may be able to commute back and forth to Zimbabwe, but who knows what the future holds … that’s all I can say at this stage.

“But while I am away, I wish Zimbabwe Cricket all the very best in what’s to come, and I hope to join the boys again in the future.”

Cremer has played 19 Tests, 96 one-day internationals and 29 Twenty20 internationals, taking 57, 119 and 35 wickets respectively.

After missing Zimbabwe’s recent tours to South Africa and Bangladesh due to knee surgery, he returned to action in December, helping his Rhinos franchise to victory over Mountaineers in a Pro50 Championship match played in Kwekwe.

This is the second time that Cremer has taken a break from international cricket in the last five years.

In April 2013 Cremer decided to pre-maturely bring down the curtains on his international cricket career at age 26 after a pay dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) before going on to pursue his other passion, golf before making a comeback to cricket in May 2015

Zimbabwe Cricket acting managing director Givemore Makoni said Cremer would be greatly missed and hoped that the former captain will be available for selection again soon.

“Your wickets, numbers and everything you have contributed to our game speak for themselves and we as ZC are proud of you,” Makoni said.

“Your services will be greatly missed but we hope to have you in our national colours again soon. In the meantime, we send our best wishes to you and your family.”

Source : New Zimbabwe

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THE Zimbabwe women’s cricket team wrapped up their tour of Namibia in style yesterday after posting a 5-0 whitewash of the hosts in the Namib Desert Women T20 Challenge at the Sparta Oval in Walvis Bay. The tourists, who dominated the series from the first game, were on top again yesterday dismantling the Namibians for a meagre 60 runs, thanks largely to the four-wicket haul from Nomatter Mutasa, who recently made her T20I debut during the tour.

Mutasa had the best return of four wickets for nine runs, with one of the veterans of the game in the Zimbabwe team Precious Marange weighing in with astonishingly economic figures of 3/5 from her four overs.

The Namibians won the toss and went in to bat first but their innings never got going after losing opener and one of their best players of the series Adrian van der Merwe for a golden duck.

Only two players managed double digit scores against the Zimbabwe bowling. Sune Wittmann (21) and Kayleen Green (12) were the highest scorers for the hosts. But Zimbabwe needed only 9.3 overs to overturn the target.

Marange capped a good day in the office with crisp performances with the bat as she helped the tourists race to victory with an unbeaten 32 runs.

She faced 31 deliveries and struck a quadruple of fours in this easy chase. She was ably assisted by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (13 n/o) after her opening partner Modester Mupachikwa had lost her wicket early for four runs.

Zimbabwe won the first game by six wickets last Saturday and then came back the following day charged up to claim an eight wicket victory.

Source : The Herald

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By Helge Schütz
ZIMBABWE’s national women’s cricket team completed a 5-0 rout of Namibia in the Namib Desert Challenge with another one sided victory at the Sparta Ground in Walvis Bay on Thursday.

Namibia once again failed with the bat as they could muster only 60 runs off their 20 overs – a total which Zimbabwe easily reached for the loss of only one wicket and with more than half their overs still in hand.

Namibia’s innings got off to a dismal start as their star batsman Adri van der Merwe was dismissed for a golden duck off the first ball of the innings.

The rest of the top order failed to offer much resistance with Yasmeen Kahn (2), Arrasta Diergaardt (4) and Roche Venter (9) all going cheaply, as Namibia crashed to 18 runs for the loss of four wickets.

Sune Wittmann (21) and Kayleen Green (12) offered brief respite for Namibia with a 37-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but Wittmann’s dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse as Namibia lost six wickets for the addition of only five runs before the whole team was out for 60.

Nomatter Mutasa was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, with four wickets for nine runs off four overs, while Precious Marange took 3/5 off four overs.

Zimbabwe lost the wicket of Modester Mupachikwa early on when she was caught off the bowling of Namusha Shiomwenyo for four runs, but Precious Marange and Chipo Tiripano took them to victory with a 45-run partnership.

Marange remained unbeaten on 32 which came off 31 balls and included four fours, while Marange was unbeaten on 13.

Shiomwenyo was Namibia’s only wicket taker, with one wicket for 22 runs off 3,3 overs.

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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
FOR all the drama and chaos at Barbourfields on Saturday, including the sorry sight of Benjani Mwaruwari being forced to scale barriers to force his way into the stadium, there was a silver lining to the shame that stalked the beautiful game.

Domestic football, which for years now has been losing the magic which used to bring thousands of fans to the stadium, appeared to have found its soul again with a breathtaking revival of its romance with the supporters.

It might have been only for this game, ironically a neutral venue for the two teams in action, but all the same it was such a beautiful sight.
And a timely reminder, if we ever needed empirical evidence, that local fans still have a very strong attachment with football and all they are crying for is a good game.

Sadly, the mediocrity which has been synonymous with most of the domestic Premiership matches has been testing this beautiful romance to the limit and forcing many to stay at home rather than come to the stadiums. Falling attendance figures have become the norm in our local leagues, the Premiership included and a number of matches have been played in virtually empty stadiums.

The struggles of the traditional giants, especially the way Dynamos have lost their way in recent years as they limp from one crisis to the other, haven’t helped matters either. And the poaching of every decent footballer who emerges on the scene, by the South African clubs, has also meant the country’s number one sporting discipline has been seeing a gradual sucking of life out of its arenas.

On the few occasions a game has attracted 10 000 fans, this has been hailed as isolated success story, an island of hope in a raging ocean of hopelessness. But, then, on Saturday in the City of Kings, something changed.

For many seasoned observers, who have followed this game for a long time, it was like a return to the ‘80s and ‘90s when domestic football used to be a powerful box office attraction with packed stadiums the order of the day.

A journey back into a time when fans would start arriving at the stadiums as early as 10am and by midday the ground would be filled with bustling life with the stands painted by some beautiful colours. When going to the local stadiums was a weekly pilgrimage for thousands of fans whose strong attachment to the game knew no bounds and whose loyalty to their clubs was without question.

And when families used to come to the stadiums as a unit — the father, the mother and the kids — and life was very good for domestic football with a lot of money flowing from the gates and into its systems. Of course, there was always a feeling that Saturday’s game was different.

Orlando Pirates, the South African football powerhouse who have a very huge support base in Bulawayo, were in town for the first time in their 82-year history. They really love these Sea Robbers in the City of Kings where Highlanders fans have always shared an identity with these Pirates — finding similarity with their black-and-white colours and pre-match formalities like the crossed bones.

And they had Kuda Mahachi, the Warriors midfielder who started his football journey in this city, long before he became a Buccaneer and even tried his luck at French club Monaco, making his homecoming show in the colours of these Pirates. They also had Marshall Munetsi, the rapidly improving enforcer who has been making waves for the Warriors, and whose talent appears destined to take him to Europe sooner than later.

FC Platinum officials also knew of the huge interest generated by this game and they printed 23 000 tickets which, for the first time in the club’s history, were all sold out. Given the massive crowd which, unfortunately could not make it into the packed stadium and had to go back home, observers believed that even a 60 000-seater stadium would have been filled to capacity on Saturday.

Pirates have never seen anything like this, even for their home matches when the opposition is not Kaizer Chiefs, let alone on their travels across Africa. To find themselves so much loved, by more than three-quarters of the fans inside the stadium in a match being played outside South Africa, was a journey into the world of fantasy for them.

That’s why they took time to go around the stadium, after the game had ended, saluting the thousands of fans who paid to come and cheer their cause with Soweto, the bay which houses the hardcore Bosso loyalists, giving them the biggest cheer. Debate will rage for days, if not weeks, why the majority of the Bosso fans chose to sing in Pirates’ corner that day and whether supporting a team flying the Zimbabwean flag would not have been appropriate.

And there will be others who will sympathise with FC Platinum for being made to feel so unloved in a game where they were the home team.
But such a debate can wait for another day because, for those who really love domestic football, what was important on Saturday was seeing the revival of the romance between this game and its fans.

“I think we last saw something like this, in terms of numbers, before or around the turn of the millennium when Bosso were winning four straight titles,” ZIFA vice-president Gift Banda told The Herald.

“This is just amazing and it shows that the fans still love their football and all they need is a package that makes it attractive for them to come back to the stadiums in numbers.

“For us, as ZIFA, this is a lesson as we prepare for the big match against Congo-Brazzaville in March in terms of how we should organise such a big game and how to deal with all the challenges we are likely to face.”

Domestic football, battling to win the hearts and minds of the fans it has lost along the way, could not have asked for a better start to the New Year. Of course, the chaos at the gates on Saturday will always be the one area of negativity that spoiled what would have been a perfect day.

Source : The Herald

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FC Platinum have put on a brave face as they confront one of the continent’s super powers and current Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League cup holders Esperance Tunis in a Group B clash of the same competition in Tunisia on Friday.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

The Stade Olympique de Rades has never been a good hunting ground for Zimbabwean sides and, in fact, records by local teams there would make the FC Platinum supporters nervous.

That stadium is where Dynamos suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat at the hands of Esperance in 2012 and before that in 2010, they lost 1-0.

Highlanders also suffered a 6-0 mauling by the three-time Caf Champions League champions and FC Platinum’s main mission is to go there and fight hard for a draw.

The 60 000 capacity facility can be a real cauldron with drum-beating supporters who sing from start to finish, never mind the situation on the playing park.

FC Platinum players will come across an atmosphere most of them would have never come across in their playing careers.

This is the big job that coach Norman Mapeza has got at hand as he tries to psyche his players for such a grand occasion.

Esperance are always at their best when they are playing in front of their home fans.
Last year, en route to winning the competition, they only suffered defeat at home once when they lost to Al Ahly in the group stages.

The two teams went on to make it all the way to the finals, where Esperance produced a sizzling second leg performance to overturn a first leg 3-1 defeat, winning 3-0 to claim their third silverware of this competition.

With Esperance having drawn their first group match against Horoya on Friday, they will be looking for a win at home to give themselves a better chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

FC Platinum would have to brace for a barrage of attacks from the home side under the bright lights of the Stade Olympique de Rades.

Mapeza has been frank about the way he will set out his team in Tunisia.

“We need to go there with a game plan and at least get a point or better away from home,” he said.

“The game plan we used when we played in the initial stages is the same game plan we are going to use when we go to Tunisia.”

In the preliminary round and the first round ties, FC Platinum preferred to shut out their opponents away from home while playing an open game at home.

Mapeza’s side is one of the masters at defensive play as evidenced by their numbers from last season, where they conceded just 16 goals from 38 matches.

But Mapeza knows that the challenge is bigger than what his players faced locally.

“We know they are dangerous because they are the current champion’s league holders, but we are just not going there to open up the game for them,” he said.

“Our plan remains the same. I know what to expect when we go to Tunisia because I once played there with the national team and that experience will be key.”

FC Platinum can draw confidence from other teams that have gone to Tunis and came out with results in the past.

In 2017, South African football giants Sundowns managed a goalless draw away to Tunis.

Even that 1-0 defeat of Dynamos in 2010 may be enough to give FC Platinum confidence that they can go there and compete.

Source : The Herald

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THE Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) yesterday disclosed to Parliament that industry owed more than $600 million in pension arrears against a retirement fund value of $5 billion.

BY VENERANDA LANGA

“The industry is in $600 million arrears in terms of pensions against a pension fund value of about $5 billion, and there was also loss of value in pensions when the country changed from Zimbabwean dollar to United States dollar currency,” IPEC acting commissioner Blessmore Kazengura told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance chaired by Chikomba Central legislator Felix Mhona.

Josphat Kakwere, the IPEC risk management and pensions analyst, added: “It is true that the Justice Smith commission of inquiry found out that pensioners in Zimbabwe did not receive their dues in line with their reasonable expectations — and it is quite depressing because even we, as a commission, have been overwhelmed by complaints in this regard and the Commission of Inquiry recommended a compensatory framework.”

He said the biggest chunk of the $600 million arrears to pensioners is owed by parastatals such as the Cold Storage Company.

However, the IPEC officials said it was difficult to come up with a formula to calculate the prejudices to pensioners and insurance holders, particularly given that the country has only about eight actuaries.

Kakwere said to ensure that entities were compelled to pay compensation for pensions eroded by inflation, there was need for a legal instrument to force them to do that, as well as for different insurance and pensions specialists to sit down and come up with the correct index to be used to calculate pensions.

IPEC public relations manager Llyod Gumbo said more than 50 000 pensioners have also not claimed their pensions to the tune of $30 million due to different reasons such as lack of knowledge that they were contributing to a pension scheme.

Zimbabwe Pensions and Insurance Rights Trust (ZimPIRT) general manager Martin Tarusenga painted a very sorry state of affairs for pensioners saying that they were paid peanuts after contributing for years.

“The problems faced by pensioners and insurance policyholders include apparent disregard of concerns and rights of consumers and wrong benefit calculations. Pensioners and insurance policyholders have, for some time, submitted that benefits entitled by insurance companies and other pension houses are way below the full rightful benefits,” Tarusenga said.

He also told the Finance committee that IPEC board was also staffed mainly by executives from insurance companies and the Finance ministry secretary, in conflict with its primary regulatory responsibility of protecting consumers.

Tarusenga also raised issues of pensioner and insurance holder prejudice, where he said outrageously wrong formulae was used to calculate benefits.

“It is apparent that insurance companies and other pension houses use several techniques to misappropriate pension and insurance funds. Notable among them is unregulated excessive charging of pension funds for services rendered,” he said.

Source : The Herald

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ANALYSTS yesterday ridiculed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s five-nation tour of Eurasia at a time the country was imploding due to severe economic difficulties, as well as his penchant for luxury as he used an expensive luxury Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft for the trip.

BY VENERANDA LANGA

They said it was unnecessary for Mnangagwa to exhibit signs of profligacy by chartering a luxury plane – one of its kind – manufactured five years ago at a cost of £230 million and costs $74 000 per hour for hire until return, according to Business Insider, when the main reasons for mutiny yesterday in the country were economic hardships.

Mnangagwa’s trips will cover Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Davos in Switzerland, where he will be attending the World Economic Forum. Government claims that these trips will unlock economic value as the countries were more economically stable than Zimbabwe.

Given that Mnangagwa will likely spend two weeks away, government could folk out US$25 million for hiring the plane in addition to hefty allowances for himself and his large entourage.

Asked to explain why Mnangagwa would go on State visits when already the signs of implosion showed before the trip, Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo curtly responded: “I will only issue a statement about the situation in the country tomorrow.”

Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said it was frightening that Mnangagwa would leave the country in its current state of distabilisation.

“We know that Zanu PF has a history of intransigence and they do not have a conscience because it is frightening that he left the country in a state of destabilisation after announcing the fuel hikes – and how does he even know what is going to happen because there could be another coup being planned while he is away?” Ngwenya said.

“This shows that Mnangagwa does not have the depth to comprehend the magnitude of the problems in Zimbabwe, and actually, former President Robert Mugabe might have been very arrogant, but his thinking capacity was better because he understood what the problems in Zimbabwe meant.”

Ngwenya said the sad thing was that Mnangagwa thought that the problem in Zimbabwe was fuel only, yet there were a myriad other issues to be solved.

“What is sad is that it seems as if his handlers and advisers are hiding things from him and not telling him the truth. What is actually going to happen is that during his trips, he is going to be inundated with journalists following him and asking him about the situation in Zimbabwe and the strike by civil servants. He goes on a trip carrying a large contingent to Russia, which will spend $2 million to $3 million when doctors are on strike; and foreign journalists are going to ask what he is doing there when his country is imploding,” he said.

Another political analyst Earnest Mudzengi said Mnangagwa chose to travel against the backdrop of immense pressure to deal with the problems currently facing the country.

“However, the fact is that as he looks at the problems, he might not have a solution for them from within, and he has probably gone outside to find solutions. The issue now is about whether he can realistically get some rescue from the Eastern bloc for those problems because the Western countries have been clear that they can engage Zimbabwe, but on condition that there are democratic political and economic reforms, which Zanu PF may not be willing to implement.

“He thinks the Eastern bloc countries might be willing to co-operate without stringent conditionalities. So, Zanu PF might not be going to go to their full extent in terms of dealing with the real problem, and they might be dealing with the symptoms only, like the fuel crisis when it is just one area and it is a potential scene for creating instability. If they deal with the fuel situation they think that they have quelled the situation and yet its extent goes beyond that, to bond notes and other problems,” he said.

Mudzengi said Mnangagwa’s hiring of expensive private planes were not only a Zimbabwean problem, but an African post-colonial problem where leaders wanted to live in luxury as long as they were in power.

Former Finance minister and MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Tendai Biti ridiculed the trips, saying: “What President rushes to visit countries like Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan – for what when the country is in a mess?”

Zimbabwean academic at the Namibia University of Science and Technology lecturer Admire Mare said presidential trips could have been booked in advance, hence Mnangagwa could not have avoided proceeding with them despite the culminating problems in the country.

“However, the issue here could be that how could he communicate such a huge fuel hike on the eve of his five-nation trip. He could have consulted more with industry, labour and consumer associations to try and solve the problems to ensure that the populace digests such austerity measures better,” Mare said.

Source : The Herald

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By Cloud Fusire

NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara is confident the 27 coaches who are taking up an upgrading course under the tutelage of internationally-acclaimed athletics instructor Volker Herrmann will help transform the sport in the country.

The seven-day International Association of Athletics Federation Level Two coaching course began last Thursday at White City Hall in Bulawayo.

Herrmann is a German High Performance Sports Consultant and was assigned by the IAAF to conduct the course.

IAAF Level Two course specialises in sprints and hurdles coaching with only Class One holders allowed to take part.

Tagara said investing in training local coaches to meet global standards will be the association’s priority this year.

“We want to thank the IAAF for giving us this opportunity to host this course and as the NAAZ president, my philosophy is that we must invest in coaches because today coaching is science-based.

“Our athletes should to be handled by qualified and professional coaches so that they can be able to compete better at international level.

“As a country we have a good record globally of developing top sprinters and hurdlers such as Brian Dzingai and Ngoni Makusha who have raised our flag high. So we want to retain our status on the international map.

“I believe that only if our young talented athletes in our schools and universities are handled by trained and professional coaches we will reach our goal,” said Tagara.

Tagara added that he was pleased with the cooperation and commitment made by several stakeholders and Government institutions in the programme.

“We are satisfied that among the 27 participants, we have coaches from the police, army and high schools who are training with us. This is very important because most of our top athletes are employed and learning in these institutions especially primary and secondary school coaches are key in developing and nurturing our cadets, youths and junior athletes.”

Herrmann believes the country has a lot in raw talent which requires support to attain full potential.

“I believe that Zimbabwe has a huge talent in athletics, which needs support especially in developing infrastructure for them to use and being educated into some technical aspects such as how to combine speed and strength as an athlete,” said Herrmann.

The German said he will be ready to chip in should Zimbabwe need his services.

“I’m really enjoying working and supporting National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe in training their coaches, the environment is very friendly and we will continue to cooperate and work together.”

Herrmann is also expected to hold seminars with school coaches countrywide next week.

“We have asked him to have a face-to-face seminar with majority of our school coaches starting in Bulawayo on January 18 at White City Stadium. We are inviting all coaches from primary and secondary schools, universities and tertiary institutions in Matabeleland North, East, South and even parts of Masvingo and Midlands to attend the seminar.

“On January 19 he will also interact with coaches from Harare, Manicaland and other nearer provinces at the National Sports Stadium where he will also present papers of coaching and have an hour of question and answers,” said Tagara.

source: the herald

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By Rashiwe Murisa

ZIMBABWE’s dream of participating in their maiden World Korfball Championships is hanging in the balance as the Zimbabwe Korfball Federation are struggling to raise the affiliation fee for the tournament. The senior korfball team booked their first berth for the quadrennial competition last year and they need to pay US$4 760 by close of business tomorrow to confirm their involvement.

The fiesta will be held in Durban, South Africa, in August but the team may fail to make it if the federation fails to settle the payment before the deadline.

Head of the Fundraising Committee for the World Championships, More Moyo, confirmed they were finding it difficult to raise the money for affiliation.

Although the team is guaranteed participation allowances after the tournament, no corporates have come forward to help the federation pay the affiliation fees as yet.

A team which fails to pay its affiliation fees will not be allowed to participate and possibly attract further sanctions from the International Korfball Federation.

Moyo said their committee has been running around to see to it that the team participates at the world fiesta but the responses have been poor.

“It’s definitely not looking very good for us. We are running around to try and raise the money needed for affiliation.

“We qualified for the World Cup for our very first time in history after working so hard. We are expected to do well at the tournament as the whole of Africa will only be represented by us and South Africa.

“It’s very sad to miss out on the opportunity to represent our country and use the platform to open new avenues for the growth of the sport in the country,” said Moyo.

“We have been running around to try and raise the money but we are stuck. The deadline for the payment is January 15 and failure to pay the affiliation means we are out. We are calling for the corporate world to chip in,” said Moyo.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe korfball national team coach Percy Samugadza has been invited to the Netherlands for the Level 3 coaching course from April 18 to 21 this year.

source: the herald

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