Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe president Martin Lock has said efforts being put into nurturing young talent in the country are beginning to pay dividends. Most of the players that participated in the ITF/CAT Southern African Individual and Team Junior Championships recently qualified for the Africa Junior Championships. The tournament in Windhoek, Namibia, mainly for 14-and-Under and 16-and-Under players saw the young participants playing for points as well as qualification for the AJC.

Initial indications were that 11 players would take part but Zimbabwe ended up having 12 players and, at least, nine of them automatically qualified for the AJC after they finished in the top eight.

Lock said it was one of the best performances by the local juniors in the recent years.

“I think for starters, this year is one of the best performances we have had in quite a few years of our juniors and it’s certainly the highest number of players that we have had qualifying for the Africa Junior Champs,” said Lock. The championships are expected to be held between March and April. Lock attributed the good outing to the effort being put in by coaches in nurturing young talent before adding that they will try and expose the players to more game time ahead of the championships.

“We have got very highly qualified coaches in Zimbabwe and they have been putting in a lot of time and effort with our juniors.

‘’And it’s really encouraging to see that all those efforts are starting to bear fruit… And it just shows what we can produce with developing structures in place.

“I think we have got to look seriously at arranging competitive matches for them. We also do have training camps scheduled throughout the year and we will probably try and have a training camp before AJC,” said Lock.

Lock also acknowledged the support coming from parents to complement their efforts with the juniors.

Some of the top performances by the young players came from Rufaro Magarira, who won the girls Under-16 event, and Tinaye Badza, who reached the finals in the boys Under-14. Miracle Matanga, who accompanied the players, concurred that the players need to maintain the momentum. “Personally I think they did so well considering that everyone played so well although there are some that failed to make it. But talking about the team, I think we had a great tour.

“Basically I think what I would suggest, if the players maybe with the help of the association if they have a structure in place (for the players) to keep up with the intensity because we are looking at the level they have played.

“If they are to break for even a couple of weeks then the level is going to be gone. So I am saying maintain the form.

‘’They should play more matches, if only we had tournaments in-between for them to keep the form until they go for the AJC.

“And, also, maybe their training because when they go for the AJC they are going as a team as well, so if only we had structures which actually involve them training together keeping up the team as it was as well,” said Matanga.

source: the herald

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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
DIEGO COSTA could either line up alongside Nyasha Mushekwi or relegate the Zimbabwe international striker to the bench should the 30-year-old Spanish forward follow the football superstars who have followed the big money of the Chinese Super League in the next few weeks.

Mushekwi’s Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang are angling for a move to try and sign the highly-rated Spanish superstar to bolster their side in their second season in the top-flight after battling long and hard to secure their place among the elite clubs of the game in that country.

Costa, who was born in Brazil but plays for Spain, has attracted interest from Dalian Yifang whose owners have a strong interest in Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

“There is a possibility Dalian Yifang could get Diego Costa, they have made him their prime target and the relationship between the Chinese club and Atletico Madrid makes this very interesting,’’ sources said.

“After surviving relegation last season, the owners of Dalian Yifang, who have never hidden their intentions of creating a team that can really rock the Chinese Super League, believe some top players should be recruited and Diego Costa is a prime target for them.

“The Zimbabwean striker, Mushekwi, carried a huge burden last season and had to score most of the goals and the club believes a good striker should be recruited to help him because he can’t do it alone.

“Remember, even when Mushekwi had those challenges with his serious groin injury, the club could not afford to lose him, so that he could undergo surgery, because there were concerns that without him, and his goals, the club could be relegated and it’s something they didn’t want.

“That is why Mushekwi’s surgery, which was eventually done in Madrid, Spain, had to wait until after Dalian Yifang had secured their place in the league at the end of the season.

“Now, there is talk that Diego Costa is the man they really want to come to Dalian and you know, because of his status, such a deal will require a lot of issues to be ironed out but let’s see how it pans out.’’

Costa also underwent surgery last month to deal with a foot injury and has been undergoing recovery since then.

The powerful striker missed Atletico Madrid’s 3-0 win over Huesca at the weekend in which the club from the capital impressed as they warmed up for the Madrid Derby against Real.

Atletico Madrid are also on the verge of signing Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata and sources said this was another indication they were resigned to losing Diego Costa to Dalian Yifang.

Antonio Ruiz, a journalist close to Atletico Madrid, revealed at the weekend that Morata has already signed his contract with the Spanish giants and will be unveiled in the coming days.

New Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri gave Morata the go-ahead to leave Stamford Bridge after the Spanish striker struggled to make an impression at the club as he was dogged by injuries and poor form.

Morata granted his grandmother, who was an Atletico fan, to start his career at the club.

Dalian Yifang have in the past already shown they are not shy to break the bank and bring in some prominent players to their team.

The Chinese club shocked the world last February when they announced they had signed Belgian Word Cup star Yannick Carrasco and Argentine midfielder Nicolas Gaitan from Atletico Madrid.

Portuguese defender Jose Fonte also arrived from English Premiership side West Ham.

Carrasco, who was part of the Belgian side that finished third at the World Cup finals in Russia last year, cost around £26 million to acquire from Atletico Madrid while Gaitan cost about £16 million.

The two players were also reported to be on huge contracts of between £8 and £10 million a year.

Mushekwi was initially pushed out of the team, because of rules where only three foreigners could be fielded, but the Zimbabwean forward — a crowd favourite at the team — forced his way back into the side after a change in the coaching department.

The Warrior duly delivered for his club as he scored 15 league goals, the 10th best figures in the race for the Golden Boot, even when he played far fewer games than others and was the fourth best African striker, in terms of goals scored, in the league.

He even scored more goals than Brazilian star Hulk (13) and Oscar (12) whose club Shanghai SIPG were eventually crowned champions of China.

Odion Ighalo, the Nigerian World Cup striker, was the best performing African star, in terms of goals scored, in the Chinese Super League with 21, six shy of Golden boot winner Wu Lei of Shanghai SIPG.

Cedrick Bakambu, the Congolese sharpshooter who featured for his team in their AFCON matches against the Warriors last year, was the second best performing African forward with 19 while Freddie Acheampong was third with 17 goals.

Source : The Herald

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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Lloyd Chigowe has released all but five players from the squad which did duty for the Glamour Boys last season.

The Harare giants endured an indifferent campaign last term spending almost the entire season fighting for their lives.

Chigove told The Herald yesterday that only goalkeeper Simba Chinani, utility players Godfrey Mukambi and Jimmy Tigere as well as Tawanda Macheka and Valentine Kadonzvo have been retained from the 2018 pool.

DeMbare resume their pre-season preparations today.

“I can confirm that we have retained only five players from the squad we had last season. They are the only ones we believe can take us where we want the team to be at the end of the day,” said Chigowe.

“Only Chinani (Simba), Macheka (Tawanda), Mukambi (Godfrey), Tigere (Jimmy) and Kadonzvo (Valentine) have made the cut from our assessment as the technical team.

“There are chances Kadonzvo may end up taking a scholarship leaving us with only four players at the club who were part of the 2018 season.

“Although there are others whom we might also consider, at the moment, these five are the only ones whom we can build our 2019 squad around.”

There were chances Chigowe would have risked taking aboard midfielder Denver Mukamba, who still has a running contract with the team, but the troubled star is yet to show up after going AWOL late last season.

Midfielder Brett Amidu, who was on loan from FC Platinum, has also left for Chicken Inn.

Two Congolese, defender Mbiyavhanga Wombo and striker Ngandu Mangala, are on trials at the team.

Former Herentals midfielder Edgar Mhungu, Hilary Bakacheza as well as Stephen Chimusoro are all strongly linked with the club.

“We are Dynamos and a lot of players are dying to play for us. Just hold on, we are building a very strong squad which will be competing for honours next season.

“We are resuming our pre-season tomorrow (today) after a week of inactivity.

“A lot of high-profile players want to play for us. In fact, I am now under pressure from them. I am getting a lot of phone calls.

“We will definitely be a team to beat this season,” said Chigowe.

Source : The Herald

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Cloud Fusire Sports Reporter
MANICA Diamonds coach Luke Masomere says he would have preferred his Premiership newcomers to start their maiden campaign in front of their home supporters at Sakubva when the season gets underway in March.

The Gem Boys have been forced to provisionally use Vengere in Rusape as their home ground as they wait the completion of the renovations at Sakubva.

Vengere, which has also been criticised by several PSL teams, is the only other stadium in Manicaland province certified by the ZIFA grounds committee to host PSL matches. There has been slow progress in the renovations being carried out by Mutare City Council at Sakubva.

Manica Diamonds, who used Mutare Boys High as their home base in the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One, will follow the footsteps of the relegated Mutare City Rovers to move to Rusape.

Club secretary-general Sugar Chagonda told The Herald the team have no option but to use Vengere as their alternative home ground.

“We can confirm that due to unfinished renovations of Sakubva Stadium, for it to meet ZIFA standards, we realised that time was not on our side as the season is fast approaching.

“We then engaged the Rusape City Council and they agreed to allow us to use Vengere as our home ground this season until Sakubva renovations are completed,” said Chagonda.

Masomere said he would have liked to play at Sakubva.

“I have accepted the decision to play our home games at Vengere but I would have been happy if my team would have started matches at Sakubva in Mutare because this is where the majority of our team supporters are.

“And you know how important supporters are, especially when playing at home.

“But we know they will follow us in Rusape. We also have a good number of supporters who can support us there.

“We are going to enjoy our home games over there,” said Masomere.

He said the team’s target was to secure a top-eight finish.

“We are still new in the league and we still have a lot to learn. So we need to be realistic with our objectives as a team.

“Our main target this season is to finish in the top eight and if it happens that we win some trophies we will be more than happy.

“I think we have done well in the market and we brought in some experienced players in the league, but that does not mean we have a machine because I haven’t yet had my starting XI.

source:newsday

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Floyd Mayweather refused to respond to Manny Pacquiao’s latest call to come out of retirement and fight him again.

Mayweather was ringside for Pac-Man’s unanimous points win over Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Pacquiao immediately called for his long-standing rival to give him the chance to avenge his loss in the “Fight of the Century” at the same venue in May 2015.

“Tell him to come back to the ring and then we can fight,” Pacquiao told Show-time.

“I am willing to fight Floyd Mayweather again — if he is ready to come back to boxing.”

Show-time’s Jim Gray asked Mayweather to “shake or nod” his head in response, but the 41-year-old didn’t do either and Mayweather Promotions’ Leonard Ellerbe went one step further at the post-fight press conference.

“He’s (Mayweather) retired, he has no interest in doing that,” said Ellerbe, when asked about fighting Pacquiao again.

“It’s not always about the money, believe it or not. What more can the man do?

“He doesn’t have the motivation, the desire. He’s living the best life, travelling, running his multiple businesses, spending his well-hard earnings that he spent blood and tears on for years.

“He’ll be 42 come February 24 and enough is enough. What good does it do to earn all that money but you can’t stick around and spend it. He has had a phenomenal career, he has broken all the records and he has nothing to prove.”

Pacquiao is now under Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions promotion and even if Mayweather is unlikely to come out of retirement, he made it clear he will fight on.

The unanimous decision win over Broner saw him win his 24th world title fight in his 70th professional contest in his first fight as a 40-year-old, and he is now the oldest current world champion.

“I really don’t believe my career is over and I proved it in my last fight against (Lucas) Matthysse and I proved it again at the age of 40,” he said.

“Manny Pacquiao’s journey will continue.”

source:newsday

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Manchester City eased past managerless Huddersfield 3-0 to move back to four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool yesterday.

David Wagner left the Terriers by mutual consent on Monday with the club bottom of the league, leaving coach Mark Hudson temporarily in charge.

City, who had netted 19 goals in their past three games, were not at their free-scoring best in the first half at the John Smith’s Stadium.

But the defending champions went ahead in the 18th minute when Danilo’s long-range effort deflected in off the head of Christopher Schindler.

The visitors then struck twice in two minutes after the break to put the game to bed, with Leroy Sane creating the first and scoring the second.

First, the Germany forward whipped in a cross for Raheem Sterling to dive and head in his 12th goal of the season.

Then Sergio Aguero cushioned a header for Sane to run on to and finish past Jonas Lossl.

It was not a vintage display by Pep Guardiola’s side but they remain in title contention.

Borussia Dortmund coach Jan Siewert has been approached by Huddersfield for the vacant job, but he will face a mammoth task to keep them in the top flight if he takes over.

This was their ninth defeat in 10 league games and the result leaves the Terriers bottom of the table and 10 points from safety.

source:newsday

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It took 19 games for Maurizio Sarri to suffer defeat as Chelsea manager, but a stunning start to life at Stamford Bridge has quickly turned sour with the Italian lambasting his side’s mental fortitude after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.

A fourth loss in 11 league games leaves Chelsea at serious risk of missing out on the Champions League football for a second consecutive season for the first time since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

Sarri’s men are still in pole position for a top-four finish, but now lead Arsenal and a resurgent Manchester United by just three points. Moreover, Chelsea still have to visit United, as well as title-chasing Liverpool and Manchester City in their final 15 games of the league campaign. The trend since the Blues lost for the first time under Sarri at Tottenham at the end of November suggests Chelsea will not maintain their slender advantage. Under Abramovich, Chelsea managers don’t tend to be given time if unsuccessful in their first season. Sarri insisted he is still up for the fight, even if he accused his players of lacking the same heart.

“It seems to me that, as a group of players, they’re not aggressive from a mental point of view. They don’t have a ferocity in their mentality,” said Sarri.

“It’s difficult to change. You have to try and influence their mentality and it could take some time, or it could change with a new player coming in or an older head assuming more responsibility and driving the team on.”

Sarri does seem set to get what he wanted in the signing of Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus for the rest of the season to offer some much needed fire-power. However, while the former Napoli boss pointed the finger at his players, his tactics have also come under the spotlight in recent weeks.

Chelsea’s early-season form owed much to the goals of Eden Hazard with Sarri claiming the Belgian was capable of scoring 40 this campaign.

Instead, Hazard has just 12 as his goals have dried up since he has been wedged into a centre-forward role due to Sarri’s lack of faith in Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud. In keeping with their performances of late, Chelsea enjoyed 64 percent possession against Arsenal but had just one tame shot on target to show for it. Removing Hazard from his favoured position wide on the left of a front three has made it easier to crowd out Chelsea’s most dangerous player. Meanwhile, as Sarri demands more aggression, his most tenacious player, N’Golo Kante, is also out of position.

Kante shone in winning back-to-back Premier League titles with Leicester and in his first season at Chelsea, as well winning the World Cup with France, as a relentless holding midfielder.

source:newsday

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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwean cricketer Sean Ervine is on the verge of turning into a professional golfer.

After enjoying a successful 19-year cricket career for both Zimbabwe and English county cricket for Hampshire, before retiring last September, the 36-year-old all-rounder qualified for the MENA Tour in the Middle East at the end of this month.

“We always have some of these games between ourselves on the golf course. I was always winning here and there and the boys always take me on.

“It certainly got to a point where I believed in myself.

“Now that I had a professional cricket career this gives me an opportunity to go out there and see how it goes.

“There is no reason why I can’t succeed, yes there are different fundamentals to the game with cricket being a team sport and golf an individual sport, but I was really excited to go,’’ said Ervine.

His brother, Craig, still plays professional cricket for Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, top professional golfer Scott Vincent finished tied on 24th place in the SMBC Singapore Open Trophy to pocket $8 720.

The tournament was won by Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.

The post Ervine turns to golf appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Sports Reporter
FOLLOWING several coaching courses that have been held in the country by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, the mother body’s vice-president, Enias Nhoro, says they are positive standards will improve.

Nhoro said it’s high time they targeted podium performances at major competitions with their immediate focus being the Confederation of African Athletics Under-20 (Junior) Championships scheduled for April, in Cote d’Ivoire. “We now have coaches who have been trained to coach athletes at a very high level. Remember we have done two international courses for these coaches where we had experts from IAAF coming to train them,’’ he said.

“So, because of that, we are also expecting that these athletes who are going to be selected are going to benefit from the coaches in the specific events their coaches have been trained in.

“At this level the coaches have been trained to come up with athletes who qualify at very high levels of competition.

“And also athletes that qualify for major championships like the World Championships and in most cases if you talk of the Africa Championships we expect these athletes to be qualifying for the Africa Championships and also do very well in terms of them getting into the finals, and the semi-finals.

“But in the finals we also expect them to go beyond just entering the finals. We expect them to be coming up with some medals of some kind so that as they represent the country we are able to say from this, we got this.’’

With the qualification period now open for the continental meet and most of the local athletes coming from a break, Nhoro said they were going to push for a number of competitions to improve their condition to meet the qualifying standards.

“At the moment, most of the athletes are coming from the off-season, so for them to really come up to qualification levels they need a series of competitions. “As time goes on they will all catch up and come to their normal expected performances, particularly from mid-February or end of February to mid-March, that’s when you find that most of the athletes would have picked up to their levels.’’

source:newsday

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Mukudzei Chingwere Sports Reporter
ACES Youth Soccer Academy founder and director Nigel Munyati has made a bold claim that his latest graduates have the capacity to be the best class following several inquiries for the duo of Martin Mapisa and Abubakar Moffat from Spain.

Goalkeeper Mapisa and central midfielder Moffat joined Spanish outfit CD Malaga last year and if their evolution goes well they will be joining Malaga senior team which is currently competing in the country’s second-tier league.

Despite attracting interest from other lower league clubs in Spain, Munyati believes they are currently at the best place to develop their game.

“We have this group with an average age of 19, they are doing very well and I think it is going to be the best batch since the formation of our academy,’’ said Munyati.

“Martin and Abubakar are with CD Malaga, there are several interests for them but we feel they have a good chance to progress where they are.

“Maybe next season they will be graduating into the Malaga senior team but, as for this month, I do not see them moving.

“Blessing (Sarupinda) is on trial in South Africa and we are waiting to hear from them if he makes the grade or not.

“We have two players who are wanted by Dynamos, they impressed at trials and we will be opening negotiations for loan moves with Dynamos and we also have two players who are going to Highlanders as well.’’

He said they have learnt a lot of lessons.

“We have improved the way we have been doing things, there are a lot of lessons learnt and we usually had 20 percent of the group going to play top-flight football but now we are looking at something around 80 percent and we are achieving our targets,’’ he said.

“The current crop will surpass the achievements of the previous groups, almost all of the players I am talking about are below the age of 20 and I can say the future is bright.’’ The latest group includes Mapisa, Moffat, South Africa-based duo of Nicholas Guyo and Kuda Mangami, Sarupinda who is currently on trials at Bidvest Wits, Manuel Jalayi and Raphael Chipfuura who are on the verge of joining Highlanders.

The others from the latest batch also include Callisto Pasuwa’s son Kenny, who is at Black Rhinos and Lloyd Mutasa’s son Panashe who has joined Chicken Inn.

source:newsday

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SEVERAL Premier Soccer League (PSL) coaches could be left jobless this season amid reports that the new Zifa executive committee has become stricter in enforcing the club licensing system after resolving at its meeting last week that coaches and their assistants would not be allowed to sit on the bench without the mandatory Confederation of African Football (Caf) A coaching badge.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

Although this requirement has been in place for the past few seasons it has, in some cases been waived for some coaches who have excelled like Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas.

Antipas does not hold a Caf A coaching badge, but he has been allowed to sit on the bench because he won the championship with both Motor Action and Chicken Inn.

Former Harare City coach Moses Chunga also coached in the PSL without the mandatory Caf A badge, having also won the championship with Gunners in 2009.
Some assistant coaches without the requisite qualifications have also been allowed to sit on the bench.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said it would no longer be business as usual this time around and that even those coaches who used to get special treatment would be affected if they failed to comply ahead of the start of the new season.

“The new executive committee is very serious about club licensing. It is taking club licensing a notch higher. In the last executive committee meeting, it was resolved that coaching standards in PSL should not be down-graded by allowing non-holders of Caf A qualifications to coach in the PSL. Hence, as an enforcement of club licensing standards and ultimately development of our game, all coaches in the PSL and their assistants should be in possession of Caf A licence. The executive felt that it was imperative to respect coaches’ education. The technical director, Wilson Mutekede, is currently in Egypt for a technical development workshop and the workshop will deal with the curriculum for Caf coaching licence, which is our expectation that Caf coaching courses will resume soon,” he said.

The decision by the new Zifa executive committee could see some coaches, including Dynamos assistant coach Murape Murape, Caps United assistant coach Tostao Kwashi and several others being affected by the new requirement if they do not take part in the courses that are set to be rolled out this year.

Mkhupali Masuku, who was the head of the technical team at Harare City, is one of the coaches that lost their jobs due to the requirement.

The PSL season, which had originally been expected to roll out in August in line with the international calendar, is set to kick off in March as per tradition after the game’s stakeholders voted against the realignment of the calendar.

source:newsday

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CHICKEN Inn midfielder Innocent Mucheneka is expected to join the rest of the team this week as the Gamecocks start their preparations for the 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season amid rumours linking him to Caps United.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

The 2018 Soccer Star of the Year finalist has also been linked with a move to South African side Baroka FC.

The Gamecocks’ spokesperson Tavengwa Hara yesterday dismissed speculation that the midfielder is leaving Chicken Inn saying they have not been approached by anyone adding that the player has a running contract with the club.

“No one has approached us regarding Mucheneka. We expect him to be around when our pre-season starts. The coaches meet today (yesterday) and after that the players will undergo their medicals and then we start our preparations for the season. Mucheneka is still our player; he has a running contract with us and if anyone is interested in him, then they should approach us. But as of now no one has approached us,” Hara said.

However, sources said South African player agent Michael Ngobeni of M Sport Management, responsible for other former Chicken Inn players Tendai Ndoro, Michelle Katsvairo and Edmore Chirambadare’s moves to the Absa Premier Soccer League, has made enquiries on Mucheneka.

Chicken Inn are assembling a strong side and they hope to fight for the championship honours this year and have since captured Sipho Ndlovu from Bulawayo City, Clive Augusto from Ngezi Platinum Stars, Brett Amidu and Panashe Mutasa, formerly with Dynamos as well as Harare City’s Malvin Gaki.

Hara said a number of players will be shown the door with coach Joey Antipas arriving on Friday from Germany where he has been attending a coaching attachment at Bundesliga club Werder Bremen.

The Chicken Inn secretary however, could not be drawn to reveal the names of the players facing the axe, saying they have not been informed of the club’s position.

However, sources said Darryl Nyandoro, Physwell Madhazi, Nicholas Muchadeyi and Last Sithole are on their way out with Antipas keeping faith in old horses Clemence Matawu, Moses Jackson, Guide Goddard, Obadiah Tarumbwa and Ben Nyahunzvi.

source:newsday

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KNOWLEDGE Musona endured a nightmare debut for his new club Sporting Lokeren after a 4-1 thrashing away to AS Eupen in the Belgian Super League, who remain firmly in relegation trouble.

BY HENRY MHARA

Knowledge Musona
The Warriors captain joined the basement side last week on loan from fellow league side Anderlecht for the remainder of the season, as he looks to resurrect his faltering club career.

However, he had a difficult start to life in his new environment as his side were thrashed by the Claude Makelele-coached side. Musona played the whole match, the only second time he has finished a game this season.

Lokeren anchor the log-standings with 14 points from 22 games, and are in real danger of getting relegated at the end of the season.

Musona decided to leave Anderlecht, a side he joined at the start of the season, as he had been reduced to a bit part player, having failed to replicate the blistering form he enjoyed during his stay at previous club KV Oostende.

He struggled to nail down a first team jersey under former boss Vanhaezebrouck, who was sacked earlier this month, and he was hoping for a change of fortunes under new coach Fred Rutten.

But it appears Rutten was also not convinced by the former Kaizer Chiefs and Hoffeinheim man, who he decided to ship out so that he gets game time elsewhere.

Earlier reports had linked Musona with a move back to KV Oostende, but it seems Lokeren tabled a better offer for the Smiling Assassin.

So frustrated was Musona with lack of playing opportunities at his parent club that he turned to popular televangelist TB Joshua a fortnight ago, seeking divine intervention over his faltering career, blamed on a nagging knee injury.

While Musona would naturally be disappointed by losing a match on his debut, he would be happy that this team affords him an opportunity to play regularly.

His involvement in matches is also good news to Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambga and the team’s fans, who want their star man to get the much-needed game time at club level to gain match fitness ahead of Zimbabwe’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)’s decisive qualifier against Congo Brazzaville in March.

He has been the team’s talisman in the campaign, where the Warriors require at least a point in the home match in Harare to book a ticket to the Afcon finals set for Egypt in June.

At Anderlecht, Musona only made eight appearances in 21 league matches, of which three were starts, scoring just once.

source:newsday

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MADRID. — Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has cut a deal with a court in Madrid over tax evasion charges, accepting an €18.8m (£16.6m) fine yesterday.

A huge media presence met the player outside the court, after a judge refused his request to appear by video or to enter the building by car to avoid the spotlight.

The deal, agreed in advance, includes a 23-month jail sentence.

But in Spain, convicts do not usually do time for sentences under two years.

The non-violent nature of Ronaldo’s offence means he is unlikely to spend any time at all in jail, serving it on probation instead.

The court appearance lasted mere minutes as Ronaldo accepted the deal offered by prosecutors.

The current Juventus player, who played for the club in Italy the night before, arrived smiling and giving a thumbs-up, apparently unfazed by the media presence.

His lawyers had argued that given his fame, avoiding the main entrance was needed for the player’s security.

Journalist Ruben Canizares posted a video of the footballer arriving at the provincial court with his fiancee Georgina Rodriguez.

Ronaldo, five-time winner of Europe’s Ballon d’Or and often titled one of the world’s best players, was accused of avoiding paying tax in Spain between 2010 and 2014, when he was playing for Real Madrid and based in the Spanish capital.

Forbes lists the 33-year-old as the third-wealthiest athlete in the world, with estimated earnings of $108m (€95m) a year.

Source : The Herald

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FRENCH Second Division football side Le Havre can count on its man in form, Tino Kadewere who arrived from Sweden last summer. This 23-year-old Zimbabwean international is the most expensive transfer in the club’s history but that is not enough to impress him as he has a mission more perilous to complete: it is called Ligue 1.

INTERVIEW

In France, and particularly in Auxerre , we remember very well one of your compatriots: Benjani Mwaruwari.

Tino Kadewere: I know him very well. Until recently, he was active with an association that helps Zimbabwean players without a contract to find a club. He gave them a helping hand as a coach.

You spoke with him when signing in Le Havre?

Tino Kadewere: Yes, he gave me some tips on how to better understand French football, to adapt to France and to progress. Learn your language as fast as possible for example and integrate me quickly in the group, so that I am not isolated from the rest of the players and I become fully one of them.

Your French adventure could have started a few years ago in Sochaux .

Tino Kadewere: Absolutely. In 2014, I joined a Zimbabwean first division team (Harare City) with whom I played twelve games and scored eight goals. Two clubs then invited me to do a trial: Djurgårdens and Sochaux . I started in Sweden, then I spent a week in France .

Finally, it was Sweden that you chose. Why ?

Tino Kadewere: I was not ready for European football. And then, because of the language barrier. In Sochaux , no one spoke English, while it was the case in Djurgårdens. So, it was the perfect place to acclimatize to Europe.

Is it true that you find Ligue 2 stronger than the Swedish D1?

Tino Kadewere: You know, football is nearly the same everywhere, but the one we practice in France is both very physical and very intense; somewhat different from the one I was used to in the past. In Sweden, I would say that it is more tactical and that the technique is more modern. Please note that this does not mean that French football is devoid of technique; but although it is the physics that dominates. That’s why I find the Ligue 2 stronger than the Swedish D1. If you can play in Ligue 2, you can play everywhere.

What kind of player were you in Zimbabwe ?

Tino Kadewere: I was called a complete player because I started in midfield and sometimes on the wings. What I noticed at home was my skills and my speed. But when I arrived in Sweden everything changed because I was relocated to number 9 and I learned to play for the team. Speed, I always have, technical moves too, but I’m focusing more on what the team wants me to do for them. I do not necessarily want to put myself forward. What matters is how I can put what I can do for the benefit of the team’s goals.

You once said ‘I want everyone to know who Tino is’. So who are you?

Tino Kadewere: I started playing football from the age of seven in the academy my father had in Zimbabwe, and always with boys older than me. Around 10-11 years old, I was already playing in Under-15! Being where I am today is like a dream. For me as for my father. You know, in Zimbabwe, football is not the most recognised (professional) discipline. And yet, it is a country full of young talents. But if you want to break through, you have to hang on and sometimes play for your name so that it is known throughout the country.

Twenty million Swedish kroner, that’s two million euros and it is the largest amount ever spent by Le Havre to attract the services of a player. How do we live with this label stuck on the forehead?

Tino Kadewere: This brings pressure sometimes difficult to manage. But when you’re a professional, you have to get used to it. It’s in my head that this kind of thing happens, and I have to make sure that it does not affect my performance on the field.

Benjani advised you to put yourself very quickly in French to facilitate your integration. How does it go on that side?

Tino Kadewere: As soon as I arrived, I had a teacher who taught me almost every day. Sometimes from 8 to 20 hours! Today, I understand when the coach gives his instructions and that the players discuss between them. The only thing that remains difficult for me is when people are talking very fast. But otherwise, I understand the essential.

Source : The Herald

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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
SAMSON MURIPO is hoping to carry the momentum, which saw him succeed last year, to his upcoming events starting with the Fifth International So-Kyokushin Karate Championships Oyama Cup in Ahvaz, Iran, from February 27 to March 1.

Last year the 40-year-old fought his way to a gold medal in the Open weight category. He also got a silver in the kata competition of the same weight division.

Muripo, together with five other So-Kyokushin karatekas, are scheduled to join some of the world’s top fighters at the tournament in Iran.

He will be competing in the 40-years-and-above senior men Open category as well as the kata event.  The tournament is one of the three events in the first half of the year which he is targeting.

“I am focusing on the first half of the year and the target is to always win, nothing less. “I am always sceptical, I am not always satisfied with my potential because I don’t know my full potential.

‘’So, every day I work to discover my new limits so I can’t say I am at my best. Those things will be examined on the day of the tournament,” said Muripo.

The former world champion last year indicated he was shifting his focus to tournaments outside Africa after taking part at the IKOKU International full contact karate tournament in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Zimbabwe So-kyokushin Karate Do-Organisation branch chief and development officer for Africa yesterday said now that he is more involved in administration, scouting and nurturing talent there is need to find some form of balance.

“Normally, in most of these events I am involved in looking for sponsorship as well. For instance, when we are going overseas and for regional events and even hosting events, sometimes I am the one who is spearheading (the programme) to find sponsorship and scouting for talent so it stretches me a lot.

“That’s why I can’t fight in a lot of tournaments.

“At times I have to be in the administrative gear as well as the fighter’s mode so it needs to be balanced,” said Muripo.

The other fighters expected to compete in Iran are Justice Mutyoramwendo, Tangayi Mhlanga, Naison Chituwa, Patrick Mangwiro and Admire Chingozhoro.

Source : The Herald

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Petros Kausiyo  and Eddie Chikamhi
COSAFA secretary-general Sue Destombes believes Zimbabwe are poised to stage the biggest ever COSAFA Cup after the country was confirmed as the hosts of the 2019 edition of the tournament amid revelations that it could become a 16-team competition this year.

Destombes arrived in the country on Monday ahead of some marathon meetings between COSAFA, the ZIFA board led by new president Felton Kamambo and the government yesterday.

She then emerged from the meetings to tell the media she was confident of the country’s capacity to host the event.

COSAFA have set May 19 to June 1 as the dates for the senior men’s tournament whose venues are set to be confirmed in a fortnight when the paperwork between the government and the organisers is finalised.

Destombes, who was flanked at the media briefing by COSAFA president Philip Chyangwa and ZIFA chief executive Joseph Mamutse, was happy with the enthusiasm shown by the government through the Sport and Recreation Commission.

She also hailed the commitment by Kamambo’s board to make this year’s tournament a success.

“In discussion over the last couple of months as to where we wanted the 2019 COSAFA Cup to be, the president Dr Chiyangwa was determined that it is going to be in Zimbabwe because we want to make it bigger and better and that we have always held successful tournaments here,’’ he said.

“You saw the women’s tournament in Bulawayo last year which was immensely successful. Some of you may or may not know that the COSAFA 2017 was the biggest tournament and is now the biggest women’s tournament on the continent of Africa.

“We had 12 participating teams, which is bigger than the continental women’s championship itself and look at what a tournament it was.

“We had a full house at Barbourfields Stadium. It was a crowd that I think can be compared to that of the Champions League match between FC Platinum and Orlando Pirates.

“So we want to do the same again when the COSAFA Cup comes to Zimbabwe this year. We had a very good meeting with the Sports and Recreation Commission today. They had a preliminary discussion with the Minister (Kirsty Coventry).

“There is just some paperwork that needs to be finished so that it can be sent back to the Minister but we are very confident that the tournament will be played in Zimbabwe from May 19 to June 1.’’

She said this year’s tournament was strategic.

“That is a very strategic time for the COSAFA tournament bearing in mind that the AFCON tournament starts on June 15.

“So it will be a two-week window between the end of the COSAFA Cup and the beginning of AFCON and we certainly hope that we have got several teams from the COSAFA region that have already qualify and will qualify in the last match to be played in March so that we have got a good offering to send to Egypt.’’

She said the tournament was not only about football.

“For any country, as a Government, one thing they can always take from hosting a tournament of this magnitude is good PR,’’ said Destombes.

“I think it showcases the country, it gives an opportunity for the foreign media to come and cover the tournament and to see and experience for themselves and the country ends up with good exposure.

“While the teams are here, maybe, they get an opportunity to experience some tourist sites so, hopefully, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority will also come on board as a strategic partner to facilitate that.

“Whether we play in Harare or in Bulawayo they have the stadia that can support the tournament. They have got the necessary infrastructure in terms of training grounds, hotel accommodation, transportation and it’s a football-loving nation.’’

Source : The Herald

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BULAWAYO-BASED Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Chicken Inn have challenged the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) to lead by example and employ a Warriors coach with the requisite Caf A coaching licence after the mother body demanded that all top-flight head coaches and their assistants should first acquire the badge before they can sit on the bench.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA /TERRY MADYAUTA

Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambga does not possess the Caf A licence and according to Caf club licensing rules and regulations, he is not qualified to be the head of the technical team for the Warriors.

Following a meeting of the new Zifa executive committee last week, it was resolved that all PSL coaches and their assistants without Caf A coaching badges would not be allowed to sit on the bench, as the soccer controlling body seeks to get stricter in implementing club licensing rules.

Although the requirement has been in place over the years, it has been waived on some coaches who have excelled in their line of duty such as Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas and Moses Chunga, including some assistant coaches.

Antipas is a two-time winner of the championship, having lifted it with Motor Action in 2010 and then with Chicken Inn in 2015, while Chunga won it with Gunners in 2009.

Chidzambga has also benefited on the waiver, as he won league titles at Dynamos, while he also led the Warriors to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Chicken Inn secretary Tavengwa Hara said the soccer controlling body ought to engage in self introspection and leave by example.

“Zifa should look at themselves first and lead by example. How can they demand the Caf A licenses from club coaches when their national team coach does not hold one?” he asked.

Hara also claimed their coach, Antipas, was a technical manager and there was nothing that could stop him from sitting on the bench when a team manager could do so.

“In any case, Antipas is a technical manager, while Prince Matore is the coach and he holds a Caf A coaching licence. If a welfare manager, or a fitness trainer can sit on the bench, how then should a technical manager not be allowed to sit on the bench? If, maybe, they are saying there is a coaching course coming up and an old man like Antipas should attend, he will attend.”

The Zifa directive would also affect Premiership newboys TelOne coach Joel Lupahla, as he does not hold the required Caf A badge.

Though the Gweru-based side had maintained faith in the former Warriors forward Lupahla, who masterminded the team’s promotion into the Premier Soccer League, the unexpected Zifa pronouncement throws their preparations for their maiden season into disarray.

TelOne FC spokesperson Melody Harry said the club was working on aligning their club with Zifa’s requirements.

“This was communicated yesterday and so far, we are not yet in a position to make any pronouncement on the matter, but we will certainly make a decision soon, before the season begins,” she said.

“The requirement has just been publicised by Zifa, so it is a bit too early for us to rush to our next step because it might, in turn, affect the whole project.”

A number of coaches, including Dynamos’ Murape Murape and Caps United assistant Tostao Kwashi, could be affected by the purge if they do not take up the Caf A courses that are likely to restart this year.

source:newsday

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ZIMBABWE has shown a keen interest in hosting this year’s edition of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) senior men’s tournament, whose dates have been set for May 19 to June 1 this year.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

Cosafa secretary-general Sue Destombes revealed yesterday that the organisation’s president Philip Chiyangwa, who is a former Zifa boss, is determined to have the tournament staged in Zimbabwe.

Yesterday, the Cosafa leadership held meetings with the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), where the matter was discussed, but not finalised.

Destombes said they were looking to have a big edition this year and that they thought Zimbabwe could provide one, considering the multitudes of fans that watched the women’s edition that was hosted in Bulawayo in 2017.

“In discussion on where we wanted to have Cosafa tournament this year, the president (Chiyangwa) was determined for it to be in Zimbabwe. The 2017 Cosafa women’s tournament was the biggest we have had so far and it was successful,” she said.

“We had a full house at Barbourfields Stadium and the crowd can be compared to the one that watched (the) FC Platinum and Orlando Pirates (match), so we know we can have a very big tournament here.

“Zimbabwe has infrastructure, that is the stadia, hotels, training grounds and it’s a football-loving nation, so why not?”

Destombes added that the teams that would have qualified for the African Cup of Nations finals stood to benefit from the Cosafa tournament.

“We had a good meeting with SRC and they discussed with the (Sports) minister and while there are a few things that have to be sorted, we are confident that the tournament will be played here from May 19 to June 1,” she said.

“The timing is strategic as Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations] starts on June 15 and we will have a two-week window. We hope we have more teams at Afcon from the Cosafa region so that we have a good representation.”

source:newsday

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THERE was another two-day finish in the Logan Cup match at Old Hararians Sports Club on Monday, when brilliant batting by Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Regis Chakabva enabled Eagles to chase down a testing target for the loss of three.

Eagles began the day at 144 for three wickets in reply to Tuskers’ first innings of 154, but their plans to build up a big lead on the first innings were soon shattered.

The pitch was very difficult, with many deliveries keeping abnormally low or even rolling, and they lost their last seven wickets for only 26 runs.

Their top scorer of the first day, Richmond Mutumbami, was 66 not out overnight, but was the first to fall, run out for 70 as he called for a single.

Elton Chigumbura was unfortunate to fall first ball, one from Chris Mpofu that flew sharply and unexpectedly from the pitch, struck him on the glove and rebounded into the gully.

The other overnight batsman, Tino Mutombodzi, added only a single to his 20 before the low bounce saw him dismissed lbw to Thabo Mboyi, followed quickly by Luke Jongwe to Mpofu without scoring, the score then being only one run ahead of Tuskers at 155 for seven.

Tony Munyonga, the promising young all-rounder, fought it out bravely from number seven to finish with six not out off 37 balls, but apart from two blows for six and four that made up Trevor Garwe’s scoring shots none of the later batsmen scored more than a single as Mpofu cleaned them up.

Scores

Tuskers: 154 and 149 all out in 48.1 overs (Brian Chari 54, Taffy Mupariwa 18, John Nyumbu 15; Tapiwa Mufudza 4/29, Tony Munyonga 2/26, Richard Ngarava 2/27, Trevor Garwe 2/32)

Eagles: 170 and 136-3 in 15.5 overs (Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 57, Regis Chakabva 47, Richmond Mutumbami 10*; Chris Mpofu 1/23, John Nyumbu 1/27, Ernest Masuku 1/36)

Eagles won by seven wickets.

Source : The Herald

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