Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
DOMINIC CHUNGWA has been ruled out of the Battle of the Cities after the returning CAPS United forward suffered an injury on Sunday.

The Green Machine take on Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday in the pick of the Castle Lager Premiership matches this weekend.

Chungwa lasted barely 13 minutes into his team’s season-opening victory over Manica Diamonds last Sunday after suffering a groin strain.

He is returning from a short stint with South African top-flight side Polokwane City.

Team doctor, Nick Munyonga, yesterday confirmed Chungwa was out of the next match.

“We are still assessing him but, I can confirm that the extent of the injury will sideline him, at least, for two weeks,” he said.

Chapungu, who clobbered Bulawayo Chiefs 5-0 in the opening fixture, take on Black Rhinos at Mandava on Sunday.

Champions FC Platinum’s title credentials also faces scrutiny against Triangle at the same venue a day earlier.

Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Erol Akbay, who got off to a false start in a 1-2 defeat away to Triangle, will be hoping to seal victory in front of his home fans against newboys Mushowani Stars.

Fixtures

Saturday

Ngezi Platinum Stars vs Mushowani (Baobab)

Bulawayo Chiefs vs TelOne (Luveve)

ZPC Kariba vs Herentals (Nyamhunga)

Yadah vs Chicken Inn (Rufaro)

FC Platinum vs Triangle (Mandava)

Sunday

Highlanders vs CAPS United (BF)

Manica Diamonds vs Harare City (Gibbo)

Chapungu vs Black Rhinos (Mandava)

Dynamos vs Hwange (Rufaro)

The post CAPS suffer Chungwa blow appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Two of the country’s top junior motocross riders, Emmanuel Bako and Daiyaan Manuel, continued to impress on foreign soil when they claimed podium places in the 85cc Junior and ProMini classes.

They triumphed during the second round of the 2019 South African National Championship series at Zone 7 in Cape Town on Saturday.

Six Zimbabwean riders — Bako, Manuel, Ashley Thixton, Regan Wasmuth, Tristan Grainger and Emile Croisette — made their way to the Mother City where they took on some of South Africa’s and Uganda’s top junior and senior bikers.

And it was 12-year-old Bako who stole the limelight from his fellow Zimbabwean riders when he came first overall in the 85cc Junior Class after winning Heat One and Two convincingly. He gained some key points after having missed the opening round of the series that was held on February 23 at Rover in Port Elizabeth.

The Zone 7 track was well prepared and had bigger jumps as usual but this did not deter a fired up Bako as he swept the opposition aside in the 85cc Junior Class to be crowned the champion of the day ahead of two South African riders Seth Young and Deegan Bloomfield.

There were eight riders in the 85cc Junior Class and it was beautiful to watch how Bako controlled himself and maintained his top position, beating his closest opponent, Young, who came second behind him in all the heats.

The post Bako, Manuel Shine in SA appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Manica Diamonds executive member in charge of security, Lloyd Chinawa, who was facing allegations of taking bribes from players in exchange for a place in the team during the club’s recruitment process, has resigned. Chinawa, together with former executive member in charge of junior football Lazarus Muhoni, were in the eye of a storm a month ago when several money transfer messages that bore evidence of bribery allegations, were exposed.

Muhoni has since resigned from the club.

Manica Diamonds and their principal sponsor Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company are yet to make public their report on investigations into the matter.

“I hereby tender my notice of resignation from Manica Diamonds FC with immediate effect. My resignation from the club has been occasioned by my conviction that the club is bigger than everyone else,” said Chinawa.

“Given the allegations levelled against me, after wide consultation with my family, sports fraternity and business associates, I was left with no option other than resigning from the club I served diligently and with all my heart.

“Besides, the club has taken long to finalise my case and I found such conduct on the part of the club as a deliberate ploy to frustrate me out of the club.

“It is without doubt that my constitutional rights were violated by those bent on having me removed from the club.” The sole Premiership club in Manicaland, which is still grappling with finding an alternative venue following the seemingly-endless renovations at Sakubva in Mutare, slumped 0-2 at the hands of CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The post Llyod Chinawa Resigns appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Mashonaland and Bulawayo provincial swimming teams are confident of winning medals at the South Africa Junior Level 2 championships this week at the Polokwane Municipal pool.

A combined team of 19 junior swimmers from the two provinces are set to leave for South Africa today with spirits high they will bring some medals home.

The three-day meet will start tomorrow and finish on Friday.

The event will see teams from more than 10 African countries, including hosts South Africa, Zambia and Kenya, taking part.

Mashonaland, who have been dominant locally after retaining the inter-provincial title recently, will have 13 swimmers while Bulawayo have six participants.

Mashonaland secretary, Shireen Ramajan, said their team is made up of eight girls and five boys who they believe have the qualities to win silverware.

“We know this is one of the toughest competitions we will be participating in. But we trained well and our swimmers are ready to challenge for some medals in Polokwane.

“Although our team is made up of some first-timers, we have the likes of Tawana Guviriro and Rorke Benjamin who we are expecting to win some gold medals and have some good personal times.”

Bulawayo secretary, Noe Cyprianos, said she is hoping for the swimmers to win and break some best times at the event.

Team captain Tawana Guviriro said they were ready to shine and win some medals in Polokwane.

Team members:

Guviriro Tawana , Bwanya Nicky, Kalipengule Limbikani, Msimanga S’busiso, Rorke Benjamin, Wishard Petyon, Rossiter Taya , Muriithi Rachel, Madya Nicole, Kuhuni Danielle, Komen Sabina, Jones Sabina, Chikwanya Mya, Nathan Chibva, Nomaqhwa Ndlovu, Shumirai Zvenyika, Pamela Ncube, Desiree Soganile.

The post Swimmers Leave for SA appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

The Zimbabwe Football Association’s (ZIFA) appearance before the COSAFA Disciplinary Board has been moved from 4 April 2019 to 11 April 2019, after president Felton Kamambo, who is out of the country, requested for more time, 263Chat has learnt.

COSAFA General Secretary, Susan Destombes told 263Chat that the matter in which ZIFA is being charged for failing to own up to their decision to host the Senior Men’s COSAFA Tournament will now be heard next week as the association pleaded for more time.

“ZIFA requested a postponement because the president (Kamambo) is out of the country.

“The matter will be heard next week 11th April and the decision thereafter regarding any sanctions to be applied will be determined by the Disciplinary Board with reference to the Cosafa Cup Regulations, CAF competition regulations and the Disciplinary Code,” she said.

Last year, ZIFA confirmed their desire to host the regional tournament which is scheduled to take place between 19 May and 1 June though they had not liaised with the government.

The decision reached by the previous ZIFA administration which was led by Phillip Chiyangwa has since been reversed by the new executive headed by Felton Kamambo after failing to get government support.

The government claimed it had not been given enough time to prepare for the regional showpiece.

If found in breach of COSAFA rules, ZIFA will either be fined or barred from participating in the tournament.

Zimbabwe last hosted the men’s tournament in 2009, which the national senior football team, went on to win.

The warriors are the current holders of the trophy.

COSAFAFelton KamamboZIFA

The post Zifa Pleads With Cosafa for More Time On Hearing appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S exactly 10 years since Moses “Bambo” Chunga won the Premiership title with Gunners, but the former midfielder will celebrate the anniversary quietly as he gradually finds himself sidelined from the main action.

Chunga will be missing on the touchline of top-flight football for the third year running and has returned to his passion of grassroots development after securing a Division Two franchise.

His last league assignment was at Harare City in 2016. He had a stint with the Young Warriors Under-17 team.

Chunga Academy will line up against other Division Two clubs when the third-tier league begins next week.

“At the moment I really want to focus on this project. It has been long overdue. But it’s high time I do something for myself,’’ he said.

‘’I have been going back and forth but now I want to concentrate on the project.

“When working for someone you are limited and don’t have that free reign. But now I want to run my race.’’

Chunga Academy trains at Churchill High. It has different age groups from the Under-15 up to 21 year-olds.

“So far, so good. It’s is baby steps. A day at a time,” said Chunga.

“We have identified many young players from the remote areas but we are yet to absorb them.

The post Chunga back to grassroots appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national Kabaddi team manager, Muzondiwa Gilbert Makowah, is confident the team will give a good account of themselves in their maiden appearance at the Kabbadi World Cup scheduled for Malaysia in July.

The world fiesta was initially slated to run from April 6 to 15, but the international authorities this week decided to shelve the event until July.

It is now pencilled to run between July 27 and August 4 at the same venue.

And Zimbabwe will use the window to fine-tune all aspects of the game.

Kabaddi is a contact team sport.

Played between two teams of seven players, the objective of the game is for a single player on offence, referred to as a “raider”, to run into the opposing team’s half of a court, tag out as many of their defenders as possible.

They then return to their own half of the court, all without being tackled by the defenders, and in a single breath.

Points are scored for each player tagged by the raider, while the opposing team earns a point for stopping the raider.

Players are taken out of the game if they are tagged or tackled, but can be “revived” for each point scored by their team from a tag or tackle.

The sport is popular in the Indian subcontinent and other surrounding Asian countries.

And at this year’s Kabaddi World Cup, 32 countries, including Zimbabwe, are expected to take part in the men’s category and were drawn into eight groups of four.

Zimbabwe will battle it out against the USA as well as Poland and Italy in Group G.

The women’s section will see 24 countries participating.

Zimbabwe will be one of the most inexperienced teams at the event but Makowah says the charges will be equal to the task.

Kabaddi is a relatively new sport whose roots are in India and Zimbabwe is the only country from the SADC region participating at the World Cup this year.

Other countries from this continent going to the tournament include Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Mauritius and Tanzania.

The national team is under the tutelage of Tendai Jambwa with Westridge High guru Dhruvkumar Pathak coming in as the assistant.

Makowah said the team has since intensified preparations after they got a shot in the arm from cooking oil concern Zimgold last week.

The post Zim Kabbadi team brace for maiden WC appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE netball team coach Lloyd Makunde says they have to go a gear up as they prepare for the World Cup set for Liverpool, England, this July.

Makunde named a 24-member provisional squad last week and most of the players reported for camp.

“It’s the second week now, we are still working on our fitness levels. So, we are fusing it with a little bit of some ball work so that we look at their fitness levels and see how we can progress with our preparations during the camp.

“We really need more time.

“I wish we had like six months to practice before the World Cup but, unfortunately, we don’t have. So, we have to do with the time we have but we still need to work very hard so that when we go to the World Cup we don’t go there to just add numbers,” said Makunde.

The Gems are this month expected to travel to Uganda for some friendlies before they engage South Africa and Zambia as part of their preparations.

South Africa and Uganda are also going for the World Cup.

“It will definitely help with fine-tuning our team because when we look at South Africa they played Australia and they lost by four goals. Uganda are a very good side as well,” said Makunde.

The post Makunde speaks on WC preps appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Cognisant of the drug abuse which has become a cause for concern among the youths, philanthropist Sekuru Banda has joined hands with boxing legend Alfonso Zvenyika to try and help kids in different parts of Harare particularly Mbare through boxing.

Zvenyika, who is popularly known as Mosquito in the boxing circles is a former Zimbabwean boxer how won a number of matches during his time that also include the Commonwealth Flyweight Boxing Championship and owns a boxing academy in Mbare, the Mosquito Boxing Gym.

The two have entered into a partnership that which seeks to take youths away from the streets where drug abuse has become rampant and make sure they are kept busy somewhere doing boxing business during their spare time.

Sekuru Banda has however, this week made a donation towards the upkeep of the academy before making it clear that more big things were still to come.

“Recently, we donated money towards the establishment of a half-a-million United States dollars drug rehabilitation centre. While construction is yet to start, we saw it worthwhile to identify a place where children will be taught some life skills. However, it did not take me time to choose Alphonso Zvenyika’s Boxing Academy in Mbare.

“After consultations and discussions, I made a decision to support the academy. As part of the deal, yesterday we went to donate groceries to keep the academy running. I have also made an obligation to buy training kits comprising gym equipment, punching bags, gloves as well as to build them a state-of-the-art boxing arena,” Sekuru Banda said.

In his speech while receiving the donation, Zvenyika heartily thanked Sekuru Banda for his kind gesture.

“Boxing is regarded by many as an elite sport so we always struggle in finding partners or sponsors at our academy. I got the shock of my life when Sekuru Banda first called me selling his idea. At first, I thought it was one of those calls that we always get from the prominent people in the society who call and then disappear. Little did I know that Sekuru Banda really meant his words. Today, he phoned me early in the morning to say that he would be visiting us and here he is.

“He brought with him an assortment of groceries including maize meal, cooking oil, sugar, Mazoe and salt, just to mention a few. The groceries will go a long way in addressing our food challenge that we have been experiencing especially feeding the kids that we train here,” Zvenyika said.

Sekuru Banda did not mince his words as he made it known that the donation was just a drop in the ocean as bigger things were still to come.

Sekuru Banda is a well-known philanthropist whose footprints include helping source sunscreen lotions for people with albinism, donating to cholera victims in Budiriro and Glenview as well as those affected by Cyclone Idai in Manicaland.

The post Sekuru Banda Breathes Life Into Mbare Boxing Academy appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Government has paid over US$10 000 for Zimbabwe’s participation at the forthcoming Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England.

The money might, however, not be enough to meet other costs like air tickets as it is only a tenth of the budget of US$100 000 presented by the Zimbabwe Netball Association’s president Leticia Chipandu in December last year.

“Whatever has been paid so far has been from the Government and its in excess of US$10 000 as you know that they are other payment requirements that have to be met prior to the start of the tournament,” said Sports Commission director general Prince Mupaziriho.

“As the Sports Commission, we support all the national associations but our helping hand might not be enough and, indeed, ZINA need all the corporate support that they can get.

“We need proper preparations and that includes friendly matches to fine-tune them ahead of the finals, camping and other incidentals and all this needs funding.

“ZINA is currently seized with fundraising activities and as the Sports Commission we are in full support of those activities.”

Some, however, blame the ZINA leadership for setting on their laurels soon after qualifying in August last year.

The executive appeared to waste time fighting the mega-rich Rainbow Amatuer Netball League which enjoys a sponsorship of $250 000 from Glow Petroleum.

“Instead of planning and preparing for the World Cup finals, ZINA spent their energy fighting a losing battle against RANL and now when there is little time left they start running around,” said a source.

The team is camped at St Peter’s Primary School in Harare’s high-density surburb of Mbare where Chipandu is a teacher.

The post Government Helps Zina appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

DOMINIC CHUNGWA has been ruled out of the Battle of the Cities after the returning CAPS United forward suffered an injury on Sunday.

The Green Machine take on Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday in the pick of the Castle Lager Premiership matches this weekend.

Chungwa lasted barely 13 minutes into his team’s season-opening victory over Manica Diamonds last Sunday after suffering a groin strain.

He is returning from a short stint with South African top-flight side Polokwane City.

Team doctor, Nick Munyonga, yesterday confirmed Chungwa was out of the next match.

“We are still assessing him but, I can confirm that the extent of the injury will sideline him, at least, for two weeks,” he said.

Chapungu, who clobbered Bulawayo Chiefs 5-0 in the opening fixture, take on Black Rhinos at Mandava on Sunday.

Champions FC Platinum’s title credentials also faces scrutiny against Triangle at the same venue a day earlier.

Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Erol Akbay, who got off to a false start in a 1-2 defeat away to Triangle, will be hoping to seal victory in front of his home fans against newboys Mushowani Stars.

Fixtures

Saturday

Ngezi Platinum Stars vs Mushowani (Baobab)

Bulawayo Chiefs vs TelOne (Luveve)

ZPC Kariba vs Herentals (Nyamhunga)

Yadah vs Chicken Inn (Rufaro)

FC Platinum vs Triangle (Mandava)

Sunday

Highlanders vs CAPS United (BF)

Manica Diamonds vs Harare City (Gibbo)

Chapungu vs Black Rhinos (Mandava)

Dynamos vs Hwange (Rufaro)

The post Caps Suffer Chungwa Blow appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Tennis Zimbabwe have rallied the Davis Cup team to rise above the challenge when they take on Romania in the Europe/Africa Group II tie on Friday and Saturday in Piatra Neamt.

The team is made up of Takanyi Garanganga, the Lock brothers — Benjamin and Courtney — and Mehluli Sibanda.

Garanganga and Benjamin are the top players ranked 449 and 546 in the singes.

The team is already in Romania and will be led by captain Gwinyai Tongoona.

The hosts are coming into this tie as favourites, ranked 42nd, while Zimbabwe are number 61.

Romania’s top player in the team is Marius Copil ranked 80th.

The other members are Dragos Dima, ranked 327th, Filip Cristian Jianu, Horia Tecau, who is ranked 33rd in the doubles, and Florin Mergea.

They will be guided by captain Gabriel Trifu.

Tongoona maintained the same team that has represented the country over the last few years and the return of Courtney, who missed last year’s ties against Turkey and Poland due to College commitments, has also been a boost for the team.

TZ manager, Cliff Nhokwara, said they were keeping their fingers crossed ahead of the tie and hoping for a positive result.

“On paper, obviously, Romania are favourites but they have to beat us. As much as they are favourites, it’s still a tie to be played, they still have to beat us.

“This is a team event and it’s full of surprises. Our guys are hopeful and they are there to surprise Romania despite them playing at home in a friendly environment.

“It’s the same team, same players we have had in the last few years so they already know each other.

“Looking even at the doubles you are looking at Benji and Courtney, they play together doubles on the tour. So already it’s a continuation from where they left in the last match,” said Nhokwara.

The draw for the tie is on tomorrow.

The post TZ Rallies Davis Cup Team appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

French motocross racing team, EHR Racing France, yesterday saluted Emmanuel Bako for putting up a solid performance during the second round of the 2019 South African National Championship series at Zone 7 in Cape Town.

Bako, a 12-year-old athlete, and fellow young Zimbabwean rider Regan Wasmuth (18), were recently invited to join top French team EHR Racing France for the 2019 season.

The two Zimbabweans are among a number of young riders who will be representing EHR Racing France, headed up by ex-South African rider Joe Tavares, during this year’s motocross circuit in South Africa.

And, on Saturday, Bako and Wasmuth wore the EHR Racing France kit during round two of this year’s South African Nationals at Zone 7 in Cape Town.

Bako convincingly won both heats in the 85cc Junior (small wheel) Class and EHR Racing France yesterday showered him with praises.

“Manu Bako once again proved his domination in the 85cc Junior (small wheel) Class with strong wins, finishing first overall,” EHR Racing France principal Tavares wrote on their Facebook wall yesterday.

“In the MX2 class, Regan Wasmuth showed good progress after his two-month lay-off due to a recent injury picked up in the USA Mini O’s.

“He is determined and is getting stronger every week.”

Tavares added that Bako and Wasmuth will join their teammates at EHR Racing France for a boot camp at Zone 7 in Cape Town next week as part of their preparations for round three of the South African Nationals which is scheduled for May 25 at BORC in Bloemfontein.

“I will be flying out from France to Cape Town next week for an EHR Racing boot camp with the Team at Zone 7. Cannot wait to meet the Team — Roll on Bloem!!!” Tavares said from his base in France.

Wasmuth said he was satisfied with his overall performance despite finishing 10th overall in the MX2 Class during last Saturday’s round two of the South African Nationals at Zone 7 in Cape Town.

The post French Team Salutes Bako appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

The matter in which ZIFA are seeking to effect disciplinary action against their suspended vice president, Gift Banda, was yesterday deferred to April 11.

This followed the raising of some preliminary issues, largely based on the association’s failure to furnish the defendant, with some vital documents.

Banda and his legal team arrived at the venue of the hearing but the case did not take off the ground after the Bulawayo-based administrator argued he had not been furnished with all the documentation related to the charges he was facing.

He said this made it difficult for him to prepare his defence.

ZIFA lawyer, Chenaimoyo Gumiro, said the case had since been moved to April 11 by which time the association should have sent Banda all the requested documentation.

“The matter was postponed to enable ZIFA to serve Banda with documents he requested to enable him to prepare for his defence.

“We anticipate to finalise the matter that day,” Gumiro said.

He said Banda’s defence team had questioned the legality of allowing Tendai Masawi to chair the disciplinary hearing citing possible conflict of interest.

They claimed Masawi was also ZIFA president Felton Kamambo’s lawyer.

“Yes, he made an application for his (Masawi’s) recusal which was dismissed,” Gumiro said. It is understood that one of the key documents to be used during the proceedings are the minutes of the meeting that resolved to suspend Banda on January 16.

Banda’s case was discussed under the agenda item that dealt with the national teams’ technical status.

Kamambo raised it after his deputy had effected changes in the Warriors set up when dismissing Sunday Chidzambwa’s assistants — Rahman Gumbo and Lloyd Mutasa — and replacing them with Bongani Mafu and Tonderai Ndiraya.

Ironically, it has since emerged all the technical crew did not have any contracts and, as such, they could not have been deemed to be employed by ZIFA.

Chidzambwa’s contract was only renewed a few weeks ago.

Part of the minutes of that January 16 meeting read:

“The president informed the meeting that the appointment of technical officials for national teams should be in tandem with the constitution.

“He said when he was away in Senegal the vice-president announced changes in the national team and Under-23.

“The president checked with the vice-president and other board members if they had convened a board meeting where the said changes were discussed and approved.

“The vice-president and the board members all said there was no meeting which was held to discuss the latter.

“The president then asked the vice-president why he had made these appointments without the authority of the board. The vice-president said that he had discussed with the president about the need to reshuffle the technical structure of the senior men and U-23.

“The president reiterated that he never authorised such and that vice-president’s action was in gross violation of the constitution.

“While acknowledging that vice-president had proposed to him that there be a change of the assistant coaches, the president reiterated in the meeting that he had advised the vice-president then that it was not necessary to do that because the team was performing well and were only 90 minutes away from qualifying into AFCON finals.

“Moreover, such a decision would require a full board consent as dictated by the constitution.” It was also revolved at the same indaba to nullify the changes which Banda had made and to take punitive action against him.

“The Executive committee members voted based on following options of their choice. a) Reversal and no action b) Reversal and Reprimand c) Reversal and Suspension.

“The results of the vote were as follows: — a) Reversal and No action — (1 vote) b) Reversal and Reprimand — (2 votes) c) Reversal and Suspension — (4 votes),” read the minutes.

The post Banda Disciplinary Hearing Deferred appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

THE ZIFA Central Region Soccer League roars into life this weekend in what promises to be an exciting battle for promotion to the top-flight league this year.

Sheasham have already made a bold statement of their intentions to clinch the sole ticket into top-flight league next season, having acquired the bulk of former Nichrut players, when the Shurugwi side folded after being relegated from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) last season.

On that premise, the Gweru-based side will start as favourites, although their pedigree is yet to be tested.

Their first assignment is away to Black Eagles and gaffer John Nyikadzino will be hoping to collect his first set of maximum points. Perennial campaigners Whawha will also seek to revitalise their PSL aspirations when they travel for a date with Ivan Hoe Mine in Kwekwe.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side has made it an open secret that they are targeting nothing less of the championship, having played bridesmaids for the last two seasons. There is also a similarly tough task for their neighbours, MSU FC who will play host to FC Platinum U-19.

Newbies Real BVM kickstart their Division One life with an away fixture at Blanket Mine, while their follow debutants Venue FC will travel for a date with Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane.

ZRP Gweru and Kwekwe- based Dendairy will square off at Ascot, while Matabeleland South-based Filabusi United will take on Kwekwe United.

Beitbridge-based Dulibadzimu will host ZPC Munyati who are hoping to pick up their pieces after losing their coach Tendai Chikuni to Ngezi Platinum.

Vumbachikwe will endure a gruelling trip to Gokwe Nembudziya where they will take on Gokwe North FC.

Central Region chairman Stanley Chapeta told the NewsDay Sport that they are looking forward to improvement in the levels of competition.

The post Central Region League roars into life appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

ZIMBABWE international goalkeeper George Chigova does not see himself slowing down any time soon in his career as he targets a milestone this weekend by featuring in his 100th game in the South African Premier Soccer League.

The big Polokwane City goalkeeper has seen his stock rise over the past few seasons which has also led him to bounce back into the national team and play a critical part in Zimbabwe’s qualification for the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals to be held in Egypt.

The 28-year old has so far played 99 games with an incredible resume that includes 30 clean sheets.

And on Sunday he could clock 100 if he is selected to play against Black Leopards in the Limpopo derby.

Chigova told the Limpopo Sports Zone website that he is itching for the honour and is looking to play on as long as his legs would carry him.

The Zimbabwe international said he was inspired by the legendary Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary who made history as the oldest World Cup player at the age of 45 at the global soccer showpiece in Russia last year.

“It’s good to be playing my 100th game. It’s been a long journey but I would like to thank the Almighty for giving me the strength all the time and to be able to reach this milestone.

“I want to play as much as I can. I don’t know when I am going to stop because if you can see the goalkeeper from Egypt El Hadary is 46 and still playing.

“So if I can emulate that and go as far as him that will be a good thing for me,” said Chigova.

A graduate of the famous Aces Youth Academy which has also produced his fellow Warriors internationals Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat, Chigova is now in his fourth season in the Supa Disk and has conceded 119 goals.

Chigova started off his career in the Absa Premiership in 2014 with SuperSport but had to leave the Tshwane side after a frustrating season in which he was starved of game time.

His career started looking up again on his arrival at Polokwane City where he has been playing almost week in and week out.

“I take the first game which I played for Polokwane City; my first game we were playing Pirates and I managed to get the Man of the Match award.

“So that will be the most memorable game for me because it was my first game in the PSL and I managed to get the Man of the Match in my first game.

“There is room for improvement. As a goalkeeper we count clean sheets and for me I would love to get more of those. I am always working hard to improve on those statistics.

“So for now I cannot say I am happy, all I am happy for is that I am reaching 100 games. It’s not everyone who will be able to get there so for now let me just enjoy the moment,” said Chigova.

The giant goalkeeper is part of the Warriors side that has secured a berth at the expanded edition of the African Cup of Nations which will feature 24 teams in Egypt in June.

It will be Chigova’s debut at the Nations Cup after he missed out on selection two years ago when the Warriors were the only team from Southern Africa to feature at the tournament in Gabon.

But the last time that Chigova starred for the Warriors in a continental tourney, he was one of the stars of the show as Ian “Dibango’’ Gorowa’s men defied odds to reach the semi-finals of the African Nations Championships in Cape Town in 2014.

Back then Chigova was playing for Harare giants Dynamos.

The post CENTURY MAN…Chigova excited by Supa Diski milestone appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

HARARE giants Dynamos are keeping their fingers crossed over the availability of their highly-rated Cameroonian players — Herve Vincent Mbega and Ngahan Claude Junior — for the Premiership clash against Hwange at Rufaro this Sunday.

The duo missed the team’s opening day 2-0 win over Mushowani because they have not been cleared by the Immigration Department.

The other player in the same predicament, Ghanaian Robert Sackey, has since returned home to collect missing documents and police clearances to enable him to have his papers processed in Zimbabwe.

But there is a ray of hope for the Cameroonians, Mbega and Ngahan. Their manager George Deda yesterday indicated the duo have already secured work permits, but the Immigration Department were holding on to the documents until they see the original papers used to apply for the permits.

He said the papers are expected to arrive in time for Sunday’s game.

“Their work permits have been processed, but what has stalled progress is the fact that the immigration laws have changed. Unlike in the past when they accepted scanned copies of the documents used in the applications, they now request to see the original transcripts.

“So they are withholding the papers until they see the original documents which we hope to receive anytime from now. We have since paid to DHL for the service and the last time we checked the papers were said to be in Johannesburg,” said Deda.

DeMbare are expected to welcome back their captain Edward Sadomba from injury.

But there were fears yesterday over Congolese forward Ngandu Mangala who scored a brace against Mushowani last week.

Mangala picked up an ankle injury in the match and then aggravated the injury during training this week. Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe was still confident he will have his best team available.

“There is a probability that we might have these guys (the Cameroonians) back on Sunday and the team captain is also back to lead his troops. He is a morale booster and the leader of the pack. Probably the question marks still hang over Mangala.

“The medical team is going to advise us tomorrow. Otherwise we have got a squad where everybody is prepared for duty. We will take it on from what the medical team says. But we will definitely field a side that will fight for three points,” said Chigowe.

DeMbare vice-captain Jimmy Tigere was also rested as a precautionary measure yesterday. The giants are bracing for a tough encounter against the coal miners who also got their campaign to a positive start by beating Yadah 2-0 at the Colliery last week.

“Hwange to us are unknown quantities and I think it’s equally the same, they also don’t know us. So when iron meets iron then one has to overcome but I think we are ready for the game,” said Chigowe.

Fixtures

Tomorrow

Ngezi Platinum v Mushowani Stars (Baobab), Bulawayo Chiefs v Telone (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga), Yadah v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Triangle United (Mandava).

Sunday

Highlanders v CAPS United (Barbourfields), Manica Diamonds v Harare City (Gibbo), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro), Chapungu v Black Rhinos (Mandava).

The post DeMbare fingers crossed over duo appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

ZIMBABWE’S Warriors have remained outside the top 100 despite making huge strides by establishing themselves as one of the best performing teams in the region in recent years.

The Warriors climbed three places up the rankings table released by FIFA yesterday to number 110.

They also moved up marginally on the continental standings by landing on 26th position in Africa.

Zimbabwe have just had another successful campaign in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in which they finished as Group G leaders, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo-Brazzaville who are ranked above them.

Sunday Chidzambwa’s men beat Congo-Brazzaville 2-0 in the last qualifying match to claim the group and a berth at the finals in Egypt.

Despite their showing, the Warriors have continued to struggle to break into the top 100 on the FIFA world rankings. DRC are fifth on the continent and 46th in the world while Congo are 92nd in the world and 20th in Africa.

Zimbabwe were ranked 113 when the last rankings were released on February 7. While they gained three places for beating Congo, DRC moved five places up after beating lowly ranked Liberia.

However, the Warriors have managed to raise their banner as one of the best performing teams in the region. Zimbabwe have qualified for two successive finals as group leaders.

Senegal are the top-ranked nation on the continent, followed by Tunisia, Nigeria and Morocco and the DRC. The top three in the world remained unchanged as Belgium continued to rule the roost followed by France and Brazil.

The post Warriors fail to break jinx appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

PREMIERSHIP side Yadah Stars have been put up for sale, just two weeks into the new season, with the franchise owner Prophet Walter Magaya saying he now wants to concentrate on helping the Young Warriors try and reach the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Magaya also announced he is also shifting focus to organising national leagues, for various sporting disciplines, for his church’s various cells across the country.

The prophet said Yadah Stars will fulfil their fixture against Chicken Inn in Harare this weekend but has invited offers from interested bidders to purchase the franchise.

“Looking at that desire, I am concentrating on rugby, handball and other sports that are within the church, and also putting my energy on the Under-23 soccer team. I think we have a good breed. I want to volunteer to put my aim on the Under- 23 in preparation of the qualifiers (Olympic). It is my desire that in my lifetime Zimbabwe (national soccer teams) qualifies to go to the World Cup.

“So Yadah FC, if anyone is looking for a franchise, yes I will contest with Chicken Inn, but if anyone is looking for a franchise, I would then want to give it out and concentrate on what I am saying.

“I also have 280 cell groups in Zimbabwe alone with membership of about 15 000 people, there in Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare an average of 15 000 per cell . . . so it’s better I also get to my people a chance to contest just for social and I create my own league, that is my desire.

“So frankly speaking, not that l was defeated in Hwange (Yadah lost 2-0) but I just feel like I am limiting myself just focusing on Yadah FC I would want to expand my wings by losing Yadah FC. And also the national team is my top desire than anything else,” said Magaya.

The club’s consultant Wellington Mpandare added that while they remained committed to investing in football, they were changing focus towards national causes with emphasis on the junior national teams.

“You know the team has been in camp for the last three months and the focus was on ensuring that we do very well in the league championship this year,” said Mpandare, who is also the Warriors team manager.

“But when the Young Warriors came to the Yadah Hotel for their campaign ahead of the African Games and Olympic qualifiers, something changed among us, especially for the prophet, because it emerged that resources could be channelled to a bigger national cause.

“The talent in that side is amazing and they need help because if we give them enough support there is no reason why they can’t be a team that can take us places in world football.”

The Young Warriors progressed to the last qualifying round of the Nations Cup last month when they beat Mozambique and will now face South Africa in the last qualifier in June.

Tonderai Ndiraya’s team which has managed to rope in some players based in Europe has shown great potential.

Spain-based goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, VfB Lubeck Under-19 midfielders Seth Patrick and Shama Bako, Scotland based Matifadza Zata and Ards FC Reward Mwakona.

The post MAGAYA QUITS YADAH appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

ZIMBABWE coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba has acknowledged his charges face an onerous task in their opening assignment against Tonga at the Hong Kong rugby Sevens tournament today, but believes the Cheetahs are ready to fight for qualification back into the World Series.

The Cheetahs flew into Hong Kong late on Monday night and were joined by some of their foreign-based stars who include German-based Tafadzwa Chitokwindo and Tapiwa Tsomondo from Cape Town over the following two days.

After having his full squad training on Wednesday and Thursday, Nyamutsamba said the reigning African champions were primed for the challenges they will face from their pool rivals who include hosts Hong Kong and Philippines with the Cheetahs coach initially targeting a top two finish from the group and with it a place in the quarter-finals.

“The tournament starts Friday (today) and our first game is against Tonga. Tonga have been playing very well and rated the first in our pool. They are a very physical team and it is going to be a tough one but we have done all that we can to prepare and to train for them.

“Hong Kong is always a difficult team to play against . . . their team is made up of mainly expatriates, they can call upon their ex-pats to play for the team so it very difficult to read because you never get to know which of the players will be playing,’’ Nyamutsamba said.

Nyamutsamba also noted that Philippines would be an unpredictable opponent given that they are relative newcomers to this version of rugby.

“Philippines is not very known on the Sevens circuit. We just have to strategies after watching them play and their first game against Hong Kong.

“It is our target to come first in our pool or at least second and by so doing qualify for the quarter-finals we take it up from there,’’ Nyamutsamba said.

The Cheetahs whose biggest undoing is lack of resources had their spirits lifted by the Hong Kong community who raised some funds that were donated to the team ahead of the start of the tourney, being run alongside the World series.

According to reports from Hong Kong, some Hong Kong rugby fans have rallied round to raise some funds and donated boots to the players.

“Zimbabwe’s not doing well economically and we’ve been struggling ever since. The big problem is getting money out of Zimbabwe,” veteran Chitokwindo said.

“The (Zimbabwe Rugby) union cannot buy players tickets to fly in or fly wherever they have to go. So it’s always been a challenge to get everyone in one place and to train as a team.

“Every time we have to meet at a tournament and train together instead of meeting at home . . . so it’s always been a big challenge so far,’’ Chitokwindo said”

“We always find a visit to Hong Kong a very interesting one and it’s always a helpful one in that we get welcomed by the Hong Kong community,’’ Nyamutsamba said.

“They do lots of charity work for us, they raise funds for us so that we can also be able to get extra kit, and a little something for the boys.”

This year a group of supporters raised HK$45 000 (US$5 800) to help cover the players’ expenses during the competition, held alongside the famous Hong Kong Sevens.

“They’re blown away by the support,” said Andrew Tasker, who organised the fundraiser and owns sportswear company Impact Prowear, the team’s supplier.

Ahead of the tournament, the Cheetahs are excited about the chance of a spot on next year’s world series, but realise competition will be tough.

“We’re obviously going to take each game as it comes. We haven’t come here under the illusion of just winning it easily,” said Nyamutsamba.

“This year getting to the semi-finals would be good for us. But you never know, with a game of sevens we might find ourselves in the finals and the ball bouncing our way and winning it,’’ Nyamutsamba said.

The post ‘Cheetahs ready to fight’ appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.