TWO shots that hit the upright, two monumental blunders by the out-of-sorts referee were the two key talking points in this second match of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played before a near capacity crowd at Barbourfields yesterday.

Highlanders captain of the day Prince Dube announced his presence in the game on his first official match since returning from South Africa with a 13th minute flashing move when he was sent through by Devine Mindirira but his booming volley on the run hit the upright post with CAPS United goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba well beaten.

Dube was to curse his footballing gods again in the 30th minute when another attempt to score saw the goalpost come into the way.

Highlanders continued dominating possession but that dominance could not be turned into goals.

“I thought Highlanders were in total control of the first half,” CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe alluded in his post-match interview.

When the second half got underway, CAPS United were a changed side as they took the game to their opponents.

It was in one of such raids that the first of the referee’s blunders came when he waived play on after lanky Valentine Ndaba was pushed off the ball by Peter Muduhwa.

Deep into the second half Thabani Bamala, who was the referee, infuriated the Highlanders technical bench when, after Mindirira was brought down right in the centre, he chose to resume play with a drop ball instead of a Bosso free-kick.

Another big moment of the game was two minutes before time when CAPS United’s Dominic Chungwa thought he had given his side the winner after reacting faster to an Ariel Sibanda spill but far side assistant referee Wirimai Muroiwa had long raised his flag for off-side.

Despite going for 180 minutes without a win, Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu was not pressing any panic buttons, arguing that it was still early days.

“It’s still early stages of the season and besides this was not an ordinary game, it was a classic encounter and we witnessed one of the most exciting games. We are satisfied with the performance and the outcome,” said Ndlovu.

Chitembwe, while generally satisfied with the final outcome, was a bit disappointed with their failure to turn their second half dominance into goals and the disallowed “goal”.

“We are taught by the same referees that if a push happens it’s a direct kick and if it’s inside the box, a direct kick is a penalty but on that case it never happened,” said Chitembwe.

Highlanders … … … 0

CAPS United… … ..0

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Dynamos goalminder Simba Chinani was the Fall Guy at Rufaro yesterday as the Harare giants threw away their lead to lose a Castle Lager Premiership football match they thought they had in the bag to Hwange in what boiled down to a tale of two goalkeepers experiencing contrasting fortunes at Rufaro yesterday.

Chinani had a bad day in the office while Hwange’s Taimon Mvula made a series of match-winning saves, including a last gasp bicycle kick by DeMbare skipper Edward Sadomba, to ensure that the Premiership returnees went home with maximum points.

Ted Ndlovu scored the winner for Hwange moments after he was introduced after Eddie Nkulungo had cancelled out Tawanda Macheke’s opener for Dynamos shortly after the hour mark.

Although DeMbare’s performance was a notch above their display in their season opener when they beat newboys Mushowani last week, goalkeeper Mvula was the striking difference between this vastly improved Dynamos and a Hwange side who came fighting for their lives.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper practically overshadowed the hosts, who on many occasions showed their might in a game that they also fielded their impressive Cameroonian players Claude Junior Ngahan and Vincent Hevre Mbega for the first time.

DeMbare had the most chances in both halves but Mvula literally kept them at bay.

“He was excellent that was one of his best games that I have ever watched. I thought he was outstanding and everyone could see that he is a good goalkeeper,” said Hwange assistant coach Brian Njovu.

The coal miners, who opened their campaign with a 2-0 home win over Yadah last weekend, were excited by the result. Njovu said they had not expected they would come back after they had conceded first in the 61st minute and gave credit to their men for their fighting spirit.

“I thought we did well to come back, it was a difficult match. You know Dynamos are one of the biggest teams in Zimbabwe and it’s not easy to play them in their home ground and I thought we were brave enough to come back from a game down to actually take the three points,” said Njovu.

Mvula was not intimidated by the vociferous Dynamos crowd after the giants got off to a flying start, denying Emmanuel Jalai and defender Munyaradzi Mawadza, who prodded home a loose ball from a corner early in the first half.

Still DeMbare enjoyed greater possession and created the most scoring chances despite some occasional forays by the visitors.

There were many exciting moments for the hosts and the highlight of the day was when Cameroonian Ngahan rode over a couple of tackles just after the break into the box but Hwange remained resolute.

All the while Mvula was always in the centre of the things.

But Macheke broke the ice with a fine finish just over an hour played when he controlled a pass from Tinotenda Muringai and coolly slotted the ball between the keeper’s legs. DeMbare’s celebrations were short-lived as Hwange hit almost instantly from a free-kick after goalkeeper Chinani fumbled a ball to the near post in the 63rd minute. Then defender Jimmy Tigere needlessly lost possession in the box and they were duly punished when substitute Ncube fired a low shot into the bottom corner. Again Chinani could have done better although the ball had taken a slight deflection.

On the other end, DeMbare could have got a late equaliser but Mvula kept frustrating them after scooping the ball from the line when Sadomba had connected with a low bicycle-kick from close-range.

The Glamour Boys coach Lloyd Chigowe chastised his players for going to sleep at the wrong moments.

“We were not that bad in terms of our overall performance. Hwange defended for their lives and at times they were defending in numbers and they took their chances. I would like to say we went to sleep at the wrong moments of the game.

“We also had some sloppy defending and we gave away two gift goals. I am not very happy especially with the way we defended. We could have scored more goals had we not gone to sleep in defence,” said Chigowe.

Teams

Dynamos: S. Chinani, A. Maliselo (J. Selemani, 76th minute), T. Muringani, M. Mawadza, J. Tigere, V. Mbega (T. Chisi, 46th min), E. Jalai, T. Moffat, T. Macheke, E. Sadomba, C. Ngahan (N. Katawa, 83rd minute)

Hwange: T. Mvula. K. Matake, N. Chinyerere, F. Chindungwe, G. Ndlovu, E. Nkulungo, A. Banda, A. Ndlovu (T. Ncube, 65th minute), S. Gadzikwa, E. Gwitima (G. Zulu, 90th minute), D. Maphosa

Dynamos … … … ..(0) 1

Hwange … … … … (0) 2

The post No Glamour for Dembare . . . a Tale of Two Goalkeepers With Contrasting Fortunes appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

AS has become the norm, BN Academy are this month set to host UK’s Football CV Academy coach Grant Brown for a five-day development course targeting young up-and-coming players and coaches at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare.

Brown is expected in the country on April 21 ahead of the course running from April 22 to 26 in the capital.

This is going to be his second visit, having been here last year in April for another course.

BN Academy director, Bhekimpilo Nyoni, said their continued association with the coach is because of the partnership they have with the UK-based academy to try and improve junior football in this country.

“This is done through a partnership we have with Football CV Academy. Every holiday they send their coach to come and work with our boys and coaches here as a way of trying to improve our football development at BN Academy.

“The main idea from my own point of view I have seen it as a benefit for our football. It’s important to be sharing ideas for the development of football in Zimbabwe. He will be working with our local coaches so that our coaches have the latest trends in coaching,” said Nyoni.

BN Academy are looking at between 120 to 150 young players from the age of six to 19 participating in the course and six local coaches, who are also expected to benefit from Brown’s expertise.

Brown will take the players through various drills, looking at technical development. They will have small-sided games as a way of developing their techniques and tactical play.

At the end of the course, the Football CV Academy coach is going to pick two outstanding players for a two-week international development camp at Football CV Academy in UK. The camp is set for August.

“In our agreement, at the end of the course he (Brown) is going to select two lucky boys between the age of 15 and 19 who will be given an opportunity to go for a camp at Football CV Academy in August.

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SHE was the rank outsider in the first place and all the three judges as well as the match commissioner were Zambian in a high stakes contest she squared off against their compatriot didn’t help matters either.

But, rising prospect Kudakwashe Nyagura still applied steel nerves and deposited stern resolve into the match as she stretched the duel all the way to the wire though she would eventually lose the fierce Women International Boxing Association Intercontinental super-flyweight title fight to Alice Mbewe by a majority decision here on Saturday night.

The 19-year-old Zimbabwean female boxer arrived in Zambia as a largely unknown quantity and the thousands that packed Lusaka Government Complex expected the highly-rated Mbewe to finish her off much more earlier before the completion of the eight-round bout but, Nyagura took everything in her stride and had it not been that all the judges were suspiciously biased, she couldn’t have lost an apparent see-saw affair 0-3.

The boxer, who is under the Mau-Mau stable, actually dominated the initial rounds before matching but the judges, who included Francis Chirwa, Frank Munthali and Mebo Mulenga, on the table could not even hand the Zimbabwean a victory up to the halfway round.

Match commissioner Ester Phiri, the legendary boxer who won four world titles in different weight categories before hanging her glooves recently, even reserved special words for Nyagura who showed a big heart under the taxing circumstances to handle Mbewe who also hails from Phiri’s Exodus Boxing Promotions. “We watched some good boxing. It was almost pound for pound. Nyagura is a fighter and can soon conquer the world judging from the way she fought. Very soon, she will be making world headlines,” she said.

Even Mbewe herself admitted Nyagura had given her a good run for her money.

“One thing that l did which l believe carried my day was never to allow myself get tempted to underrate my opponent. By all fairness, she is good, she had me move into the last gear, arguably the most difficult opponent l have ever faced in my boxing life,” said Mbewe.

Nyagura can still challenge for the title inside the next three months as her promoter and manager Stalin Mau-Mau has since indicated.

On a night Nyagura shed tears in disbelief of the outcome after she thought she had done enough to win and struggled to give the media interviews, fighters from the Charles Manyuchi Academy made sure Zimbabwe would find some consolation with outstanding performances in the supporting bouts.

The post Tough Luck for Nyagura appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

The Zimbabwe national cricket team will not take United Arab Emirates lightly when the two teams clash in the first of four One Day Internationals (ODI) at Harare Sports Club this morning.

It was the Associate side that blew Zimbabwe out of the 2019 World Cup contention when they beat their hosts in their final qualifying match to open the door for Afghanistan who eventually claimed one of the two tickets that were available.

And a year on, the two teams clash in the first bilateral series, with each team having a point to prove.

Zimbabwe stand-in skipper Peter Moor said while there will be less pressure for Zimbabwe as they take on an Associate side, they will not take their guests lightly because they are fully aware of the danger that they pose.

He said the team had since moved on from the World Cup heartbreak and will be focused on the series where they will be aiming for a clean sweep.

“What happened last year has come and gone, I think we are past that as a side and UAE have a young and exciting side and we are really looking forward to playing. It has been six months since we played international cricket. So the whole side is looking forward to that and no one is looking back at what happened last year in the World Cup qualifiers anymore,” Moor, who is standing in for the injured Hamilton Masakadza, told journalists in Harare yesterday.

He said Zimbabwe, a Test side, have a point to prove since they are expected to beat an Associate side.

“As a full member you have a point to prove we need to show the world that we are a full member, so we have got a lot to lose in that regard. But I think the pressure is kind of less because we play a side that doesn’t play as much competitive cricket as we do, but that’s not to say that we are taking them lightly. We will take it as if we were playing a full member side.”

Noting that the squad had prepared well for the series, having gone into camp soon after the completion of the domestic leagues, he said: “We have been thorough with our preparation and we are just looking forward to our first ODI tomorrow (today).”

The missing two senior batsmen, Masakadza and Brendon Taylor, who are both injured, have provided an opportunity for other players to raise their hands.

“It’s an opportunity for somebody to put their hand up. It’s a big blow to lose two of our best batsmen, but it’s an opportunity for somebody to go out and make runs. We back ourselves and believe that the guys that have come in to replace Taylor and Masakadza will do well.”

UAE coach Dougie Brwon said his team was capable of repeating what it did against Zimbabwe last year.

He described this series as the biggest step they have made as a cricket nation and they will be looking to make good use of the rare opportunity.

“We see this as a chance playing a full member side. Last time it was an upset, but for us it wasn’t an upset. We know we can challenge any side,” he said. “With the way we have prepared, there is no reason why we can’t stand toe-to-toe with Zimbabwe. Both teams have new players people have not seen before. We think our preparations have been good, whether we can win the series, we will see over the course.”

He added that his side had nothing to lose, which gives them the freedom to express themselves.

“We have got nothing to lose, which makes us a dangerous side. A number of Associate sides haven’t got these opportunities and when they do some players have really shown. We know the world will be watching and we have a few points to prove. We have a number of match winners; I can’t single out one player. On any given day anyone in the 14-man squad should be able to put up a match-winning contribution. This is the biggest ever series that we have ever been involved in. Forget the World Cup, this is the best we have played, this is an incredibly huge series for us and Zimbabwe as well.”

The post Zim wary of UAE appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

HIGH-FLYING Chicken Inn will this weekend face a real test of their credentials to challenge for the 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title when they face wounded Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

Saturday’s clash at BF is the second biggest match of the season after the exciting Highlanders and Caps United tie on Sunday that ended in a goalless draw.

The GameCocks had a good start to the season, defeating ZPC Kariba 3-1 in their first game at Luveve where new signing Clive Augusto netted a brace, while Simon Munawa weighed in with the third.

The former Ngezi Platinum Stars striker Augusto was again on target last Saturday when Chicken Inn clawed past troubled Yadah FC with another new signing Malvin Gaki scoring the other goal in the 2-0 win over the Prophet Walter Magaya-owned side at Rufaro Stadium.

The Joey Antipas-coached side leads the pack after two games ahead of their match against Dynamos, who were humbled by PSL returnees Hwange 2-1 at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday after beating newboys Mushowani Stars in the first match. But it’s still early days in the marathon race to crown the 2019 champions.

In their first meeting last year, veteran striker Obadiah Tarumbwa scored the solitary goal that sank Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium in March and the Gamecocks have been dominant over the Harare giants since they were promoted to the top league.

Reigning champions FC Platinum have also won their first two games, beating Harare City (away) and Triangle at Mandava and this weekend they return to Harare to face Mushowani Stars amid reports of boardroom squabbles with tensions simmering between the team’s executive and the technical team.

Hwange return to their base to host Ngezi Platinum Stars on Sunday.

Ngezi Platinum, who were runners-up in last year’s campaign, lost their first game to Triangle at Gibbo before coming from behind to turn the power on Mushowani Stars at Baobab on Saturday.

Caps United are also back home at the National Sports Stadium against Chapungu on Sunday in what could be a tricky tie for the Green Machine.

Highlanders head to Rufaro Stadium searching for their first win of the season against a side that is yet to pick some points.

Fixtures

Saturday: Mushowani Stars v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium 1pm), Black Rhinos v Bulawayo Chiefs, TelOne v ZPC Kariba (Mandava), Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)

Sunday: Caps United v Chapungu (National Sports Stadium), Hwange v Ngezi Platinum (Colliery), Herentals v Yadah (Rufaro), Triangle v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo)

The post Chicken Inn in test of strength appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Zimbabwe’s top bodybuilding enthusiasts are in for an intriguing contest as some of the best athletes line up for the PPC ZITF Open tournament to be held at the Bulawayo Theatre on April 27.

South Africa-based three-time champion and current holder of the title Ndumiso Dlodlo will be defending his title and faces stiff competition from rivals.

Fast-improving Francis Chideme, Lovemore Munyamana, Kylie Macdonald, Sinini Nxumalo, Marko Mwale, Nomphepe Mugoni, Ngonidzashe Gwama, Blessing Sithole and Chamunorwa Marange are some of the athletes expected to compete for the big crown in the men’s category.

Other categories to be competed for are men’s fitness, women bikini fitness, women beach bikini, junior men up to and including 23-year-olds and wheelchair men bodybuilding sections.

National Federation of Zimbabwe Body Building and Fitness secretary-general Quiet Shangai said the competition has provided opportunities for athletes to showcase their talents.

“The ZITF Open has grown from strength to strength. It has provided opportunities for athletes to showcase their talents. The mere fact that we have six national champions including Dlodlo, Blessing Itai Sithole, Shantel Batch, Michelle Matsito, Tatenda Justice Chikuhwa and Chamunorwa Marange from last year shows how the competition has opened opportunities for athletes,” he said.

“For the first time in history ZITF will have more than one senior men bodybuilding division and more than one men’s physique division. There will be up to 75kg and over 75kg in the senior men bodybuilding division. The two winners will compete for the overall title. There will also be two men’s physique division, including 176cm and over 176cm,” he said.

This year, the tournament has seen Iron Lion Nutrition and Supplements, Proton Bakeries, United Refineries, Musclerage, Bodyworks, Veezed Tyres and Intercape coming on board to sponsor the country’s top bodybuilding event.

The post Top bodybuilders brace for ZITF Open tournament appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

The Zimbabwe Warriors look set to find themselves in a tough opening round group of four for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when the draw for the continental showpiece is conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday.

Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa and team manager Wellington Mpandare left the country on Tuesday for the much awaited draw which will coincide with the start of the 100 days countdown for the June 21 to July 19, tournament.

The duo will be accompanied by ZIFA president Felton Kamambo and the football body’s board member for competitions Chamu Chiwanza. The event will take place at a historic place facing the Sphinx and the Pyramids, near Cairo, Egypt.

While the format for the draw is yet to be made public, CAF is expected to use a mixture of the March 2019 FIFA world rankings released last week and recent performances in the Nations Cup to sort the teams.

What this means, is that because of Zimbabwe’s poor FIFA world ranking of 110th, which translates into a 26th ranking on the African continent and poor record at previous AFCON tournaments, the Warriors are certain to find themselves in a tough opening round group.

The Warriors are certain to end up in the same group as two of the top 12-ranked sides in the tournament, namely Senegal (now at 24th in the world and number one in Africa); Tunisia (28th in the world and second in Africa); Morocco (34th in the world and third in Africa); Nigeria (46th in the world and fourth in Africa); Democratic Republic of the Congo (51st in the world and fifth in Africa); Ghana (52nd in the world and sixth in Africa); Cameroon (56th in the world and seventh in Africa); host nation Egypt (57th in the world and eighth in Africa); Mali (65th in the world and 10th in Africa); Ivory Coast (66th in the world and 11th in Africa); Guinea (68th in the world and 12th in Africa); and Algeria (69th in the world and 13th in Africa).

The fourth team in Zimbabwe’s likely group will be a nation ranked lower than the Warriors, but all in all, it’s going to be a tough undertaking from the outset no matter how the ultimate draw materialises.

The 24 qualified nations are divided into four pots’ each containing six teams’ which will be drawn into the six first round groups. The top two sides in each pool advance to the second round’ along with the four best third-placed teams. From there, the winners will progress to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and eventually the grand finale.

The 2019 Nations Cup will run from June 21 to July 19 and will feature an expanded field of 24 teams for the first time.

The Warriors, who will be making their fourth ever AFCON appearance are yet to progress from the group stages of the continental showpiece since their maiden qualification in 2014.

At the previous AFCON appearance in 2016 Zimbabwe were pooled with Senegal, Tunisia and Algeria and managed just a single point from those three games.

The post Warriors Face Tough Afcon 2019 Draw appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
JUST over a year ago, they silenced a nation, broke millions of hearts and crushed our country’s World Cup dreams with a sensational three-run victory which, inevitably, triggered a chain of ugly events in domestic cricket.

The scars from that disaster still remain visible to this day.

The United Arab Emirates cricketers refused to be bullied by the biggest crowd to watch this game in this country, on March 22 last year, and opened a window of hope for Afghanistan to book their ticket at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The global showcase, set for England from June this year, will be the first Cricket World Cup Zimbabwe will miss since Duncan Fletcher, and his vintage collection of troops, announced our arrival on the big stage in England by beating Australia by 13 runs at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in one of the tournament’s biggest shocks.

Zimbabwe had qualified for that World Cup by winning the 16-team ICC Trophy, also held in England, the previous year.

When the Chevrons were again asked to play a qualifier, to reach this year’s World Cup after the tournament was reduced to a 10-team event, they topped their group last year and when they thrashed Ireland, with their best all-round show in the Super Six, all they needed was just one more win in their last two matches.

The West Indies chased a competitive score, to ensure the Chevrons failed the first test, but a challenge to just beat the UAE and book their flight to England still appeared an appealing prospect, so seductive more than 15 000 fans poured into Harare Sports Club for the final showdown.

Thousands of other fans were also turned away as authorities locked the gates, concerned the massive crowd could trigger a stampede at the ground, as cricket finally confirmed its place as the country’s second biggest sporting discipline.

However, that’s just as good as it got for Zimbabwe that day.

A poor decision to chance fate by choosing to bowl, after winning the toss, when the weather forecast clearly predicted a midday downpour, was the start of a forgettable day for the Chevrons which ended with them coming just three runs short as their World Cup dreams melted.

Coach Heath Streak and his coaching staff were forced out, a number of boardroom battles erupted, some cases spilled into court and the country asked many questions and received very few answers.

This newspaper described it as the ‘’death of domestic cricket’’, and wondered how the Chevrons could lose to a ‘’rag tag team of amateur.’’

UAE coach Dougie Brown took to Twitter to express his frustration over The Herald’s reference of his team as a collection of amateurs.

‘’Thanks @HeraldZimbabwe . . . I quote . . . ‘rag tag team of amateurs’ @EmiratesCricket, Nice use of language to describe us . . . Sorry you didn’t qualify for the WC (World Cup) but, at least, give us some credit for how we played!’’

Yesterday, Brown, who now has former Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer as part of his backroom staff, watched as his team were dismissed for just 110 in 44.5 overs with Mohammad Boota’s 36, about a third of his team’s total, the only resistance while Shaiman Anwar added 11.

Tendai Chatara was the star with the ball with 3/25 in a man-of-the-match show while his fellow paceman Kyle Jarvis took 2/11 and Donald Tiripano took 2/18.

In response, the Chevrons, under the leadership of PJ Moor with regular captain Hamilton Masakadza injured, charged to victory in 23.1 overs, reaching their target for the loss of just three wickets, with Craig Ervine the mainstay of their batting with 51.

Regis Chakabva, who matched a Zimbabwe wicket-keeping record during the match, added 38.

Ervine was the last man standing, back in March last year, when his team, and country, needed him to hit a six, off the last ball, to win the match and a ticket to the World Cup.

The pressure was relentless that day and he couldn’t get them over the line.

“I think our bowlers were fantastic upfront. It was good for us to win and my job was made very easy today,’’ said Moor. ‘’Obviously, there is not going to be a day that goes so according to plan (like what happened today) but I am also relishing the challenge of having that chance to captain the side.’’

The next ODI is at Harare Sports Club tomorrow.

The post NOW, THAT’S MORE LIKE IT appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
ACTING ZIFA vice president Philemon Machana says the association could have lost thousands of dollars to scammers in the final AFCON qualifier against Congo last month.

The association reported a deficit $105 475,49 despite grossing close to half a million in revenue from the match.

They said 38 787 people were in the arena that is capable of hosting 65 000.

Machana said the review committee was unanimous that the numbers in the records, and what obtained on the ground did not tally.

ZIFA had announced that tickets were to be sold online, but they abandoned the system on the match day following a low uptake.

As a result, the move created opportunity for corruption, with over 1 000 people being turned away at the gates after they were caught with fake tickets.

“Obviously, where corruption takes place, we stand fleeced.

“As a committee, we really felt that the 38 000 was not exactly the number of people that got in.

“That is why I gave the example of those 1 000 that were turned away; where did they go? I believe they eventually got into the stadium, by hook or crook,’’ said Machana.

“And, if you say they were holding $10 tickets, it then means $10 000 gone. So, we can’t rule out that we were fleeced,” said Machana.

ZIFA have come up with a cocktail of measure to guard against the losses in the future.

Machana said some of the corrupt activities were perpetrated by stewards who were employed to bring order at the gates.

As a result, ZIFA have banned bouncers at the national team games in the future.

“One biggest grey area we have picked is the use of bouncers as stewards.

“While these can be used elsewhere, like at entertainment joints and small matches that attract fewer crowds, as ZIFA we have said going forward we are not going to use bouncers.

“We have come to realise that it is not about the muscle that you have, but the office that you are holding and the authority that is granted to you that can actually give you the power to make certain calls and certain decisions.

“In fact, we picked up that a lot of corruption was happening through those kind of people and we had an incident when we caught one who had a booklet where people were coming in, take the ticket and he doesn’t tear them and will give to other people outside.

“So, the same ticket ended up bringing in maybe five people.’’

Machana said the delay in announcing the figures was due to the hiccups encountered with the electronic ticketing system, especially on match day.

The response showed that the local supporters had not fully embraced the new electronic ticketing system after 8 439 tickets were sold online against 28 694 physical tickets.

The post Afcon financial loss: Zifa cry foul appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
CAPS United midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo is back to full fitness and could feature for the Green Machine as early as this Sunday.

Makepekepe host Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium.

Chitiyo sustained a knee injury in February last year when he was hit by a car in Epworth.

CAPS United team doctor Nicholas Munyonga confirmed Chitiyo was now fully fit and, whether he will be part of the squad to face Chapungu, was up to the coaches.

“He is back in full training. He can as well play competitively, but what I can only say at the moment is medical.

“Whether he can play now or later is not my field,” he said.

Munyonga also confirmed utility player Blessing Sarupinda has recovered from the injury he sustained in the match against Bosso.

The former Black Rhinos star had to be replaced midway through the first half.

Makepekepe are one of the teams heavily tipped to win the championship this year.

The post Chitiyo back to full fitness appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
HERENTALS yesterday donated to the victims of Cylone Idai, with coach Kumbi Mutiwekuziva saying his club was targeting victory over Yadah Stars in a league match at Rufaro on Sunday.

Mutiwekuziva was part of the Herentals FC and Group of Colleges entourage which donated a consignment of goods in the capital yesterday. He said they should start winning games.

“It’s a cause for concern and we need to pick ourselves up in our next encounter against Yadah Stars who are not going to be easy opponents as they are in the same predicament as ours,’’ said the gaffer.

“We can’t say we are playing that badly, but lady luck is not on our side.

“Mind you, last season we lost our two opening matches and people started to count us out, but after Week Three, we became one of the teams to beat.

“I am happy with the team and it was unfortunate we lost in Kariba in the dying stages of the game and we need to guard against that in our next games.

“There is still a lot to play for and we are targeting to improve from our sixth position last year to be better-placed this year.’’

The gaffer said he still had faith in his ageless vice captain Innocent Benza, the oldest player in the league.

“I think you are going to see more of him and I believe he will be making a lot of difference,’’ said the coach.

The post Herentals target Yadah appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
THEY have managed to lure not less than half-a-dozen sponsors this year and former champions Chicken Inn are looking to ride on the financial stability in their quest to win the Castle Lager Premiership football title.

The Gamecocks, who host giants Dynamos at Barbourfields this Saturday, have had a brilliant start to their campaign after winning their opening two games.

“The corporate world is now recognising that football is business,’’ club secretary-general Tavengwa Hara said.

“Sometimes it’s not about the number of supporters, but the business synergies that you can make and the value that comes out of it.

“So, we have to make sure that we all get value from the partnerships. We must be disciplined as a team and everything else will follow as a bonus.

“Apart from the sponsorship, we will also be quite happy as a club to export one or two players every year to earn some forex so that we don’t rely solely on sponsorship.

“Above all, we would want to improve our position last season. We have been in the top four for a long time and it’s time we see some progress.’’

The Gamecocks recently signed new deals with Nyaradzo Group and ZLG.

Nyaradzo will give funeral cover to 50 players and officials. The club will also get a team bus from Nyaradzo while ZLG will be their official drinking water supplier.

ZLG will also pay one home camping per month. Hara said the club, which has largely been sponsored by Simbisa Brands since 2010 when they got promoted into the top-flight league, recognise that football is business.

They managed to retain previous deals with Blackshark Protection Services, Zibuko Capital and Bonvie Medical Aid.

Fixtures

Saturday: Mushowani Stars v FC Platinum (NSS,1pm), Black Rhinos v Bulawayo Chiefs (NSS), TelOne v ZPC Kariba (Mandava), Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)

Sunday: CAPS United v Chapungu (NSS), Hwange v Ngezi Platinum (Colliery), Herentals v Yadah (Rufaro), Triangle v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo)

The post Corporate backing spurs Gamecocks appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Unai Emery has urged erratic Arsenal to show more consistency as they prepare to face Napoli in the Europa League football quarter-finals tonight.

Emery’s side suffered a major blow in their bid to make next season’s Champions League when they slumped to a lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday.

The Gunners slipped to fifth in the table as a result of their latest dismal away performance, putting their hopes of finishing in the top four in jeopardy.

But Arsenal can also book a place in the competition if they win the Europa League, and Emery is determined to ensure his players do not slip up again when Napoli visit the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of the last-eight tie.

“We need to be consistent in the next matches and if we do that we can win,” Emery said after the Everton defeat.

“There’s some frustration collectively with the result, but we won’t change our idea and our work.”

While Arsenal have struggled on their travels, they have been formidable back home in north London. Emery’s men have won their past seven games at the Emirates in all competitions, including second-leg comeback victories against BATE Borisov and Rennes in the Europa League.

The Spaniard hopes Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka shake off injuries in time to feature, while Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could return after starting on the bench at Everton.

“When you lose one match, maybe you can look at the players who didn’t play, but I think it’s rarely the consequence,” Emery added. “We’ve won matches with other players, other systems, and we need to be efficient in each moment.”

The post Arsenal face Napoli test appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
A BATTLE of Limpopo against Bafana Bafana, another duel against the DRC, a possible date against the Pharaohs or the Super Eagles of Nigeria or another tie against Senegal are all possibilities for the Warriors in the group stages of the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt.

The draw is on tonight (8pm) in Cairo and the Warriors were placed in Pot 4 together with Namibia, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Tanzania and Burundi.

This means Sunday Chidzambwa and his men cannot face any of those teams in their group matches, but will face one of the following — South Africa, Uganda, Benin, Mauritania, Madagascar and Kenya — who are in Pot 3 and any of these teams — DRC Congo, Ghana, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Algeria — who are in Pot 2.

One of these teams — Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Nigeria and Morocco — will also play against the Warriors in their group after the CAF executive used the latest FIFA rankings for deciding the posts.

The top two teams in each group and the best four third-placed teams will qualify for the knockout stages.

Warriors’ team manager Wellington Mpandare believes the number of suspensions some of his key players have endured during their AFCON campaign is a show of the level of commitment Knowledge Musona and his troops have for the cause of their fatherland.

Mpandare is in Egypt together with coach Sunday Chidzambwa and ZIFA board member competitions Chamu Chiwanza.

ZIFA president Felton Kamambo is also in Cairo ahead of the draw that will pit the Nations Cup finalists into various groups and various venues.

Goalkeeper George Chigova will miss the opening AFCON match because of suspension.

“George’s suspension is not shocking. We knew that if he got a yellow card in the last game he would be suspended for the first game of the AFCON tournament,’’ said Mpandare.

“It’s one of those things that happen in football. He was trying to help the team to win and we managed to qualify and we cannot do anything… we can’t even castigate him because that is what happened.

“We lost Knowledge when he got a red card in DRC and he missed the home game against DRC. If you look at the other teams, they also lost players for the opening AFCON games . . . Angola lost Emmanuel Luis da Silva, Cameroon lost Fai Collins Ngoran, Kenya will be without Philemon Omondi Otieno and Senegal lost Sadio Mane.

“So it not like Zimbabwe only who will be affected.’’

Mpandare also hailed the CAF workshop which they held on the eve of the draw.

“Well, it’s very important because that’s where all the tournament’s regulations, laws of the game are discussed. We also did a draw for the hotels and grounds.

“So we now know where group A or B teams will be based. Everything to do with the tournament was discussed from media, security, marketing, playing kits etc.’’

Africa Cup of Nations draw pots:

Pot 1: Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal , Tunisia, Nigeria and Morocco.
Pot 2: DR Congo, Ghana, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea and Algeria
Pot 3: South Africa, Uganda, Benin, Mauritania, Madagascar and Kenya
Pot 4: Zimbabwe, Namibia, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Tanzania and Burundi

The post Warriors face possible Bafana showdown appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Peter Della Penna Sports Correspondent
AFTER a memorable three-run win over Zimbabwe ended the host nation’s 2019 World Cup dreams at last year’s qualifying tournament, UAE entered the four-match ODI tour this week with hopes of replicating the feat across an entire series rather than just a one-off encounter.

That goal got off to a bumpy start on Wednesday in Harare as Zimbabwe crushed UAE by seven wickets in a one-sided match.

The two sides battle again today at Harare Sports Club.

UAE coach Dougie Brown gave credit to Zimbabwe’s seam attack led by Kyle Jarvis and man-of-the-match Tendai Chatara for exploiting bowler-friendly conditions after UAE lost a crucial toss.

“We lost the toss and got sent in on a pitch that had been covered after having heavy rain only yesterday,” Brown told ESPNcricinfo after the match.

“So it was really juicy, really moist bowling conditions. They bowled exceptionally well to be honest.

“The ball seamed and it bounced. When the spinners bowled, it spun as well, but it stuck and it made scoring really difficult.

“That said, we’ve still got to find a way if we do lose the toss to try and post a total that’s defendable. Two hundred may be defendable, but when you get bowled out for 110, you’re always against it.”

While UAE’s lower order battled to stretch the innings out into the 45th over after they had been reduced to 42 for six in 23 overs, their final score of 110 wasn’t remotely competitive as Zimbabwe cruised to the target in just 23.1 overs.

Brown said although his bowlers showed heart, conditions had changed dramatically by the time Zimbabwe came out to bat.

“You need early wickets,” Brown said.

“We didn’t quite get them although we bowled really well. But the pitch certainly changed over the course of the day with the sun out.”

Brown said he hopes that with two matches now under their belt, including a warm-up victory over a Zimbabwe Chairman’s XI prior to the first ODI, he believes UAE will soak up the lessons learned in foreign conditions to put in a stronger showing in the second ODI today.

“It’s a four-match series and we’ll bounce back strong,” Brown said.

“Hopefully we’ll start to address what didn’t quite go right today and make some plans and try to put them in place for the game on Friday.”

The post We’ll bounce back strong: UAE coach appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United were left in suspense after the Premier Soccer League announced the indefinite postponement of their home game against Chapungu because of the unavailability of the National Sports Stadium this week.

Makepekepe were supposed to host the Gweru airmen at the giant facility on Sunday, but authorities have closed the ground for the Independence Day preparations.

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe yesterday said he felt the unexpected break could affect his team’s momentum.

“To some extent it’s very disappointing. You are coming from a very long break since November-December thereabout and then it took us about nine weeks to prepare for the Manica Diamonds game.

“And, again, we have been given another break, rather by default.

“But, all the same, the effect is not very important, it’s just disappointing that we had the momentum and at the same time I feel the confidence levels are very high and you would want to play games in that kind of a situation.

“We have started very well. We are happy with the progress.

“The team looks good and I am sure there are chances we can keep on improving and we are looking forward to the season,” said Chitembwe.

The unavailability of the stadium has also affected the proposed double header which had been scheduled for tomorrow.

Newboys Mushowani Stars were supposed to host FC Platinum in a lunchtime kick off, while Black Rhinos and Bulawayo Chiefs square off at 3pm.

PSL spokesperson Kudzai Bare said Mushowani and FC Platinum will now play at Rufaro on Monday, while the other two matches were postponed indefinitely.

Fixtures

Tomorrow

TelOne v ZPC Kariba (Mandava), Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)

Sunday

Hwange v Ngezi Platinum (Colliery), Herentals v Yadah (Rufaro), Triangle v Manica Diamonds (Gibbo)

Monday

Mushowani Stars v FC Platinum (Rufaro)

Postponed

Black Rhinos v Bulawayo Chiefs, CAPS United v Chapungu.

The post National Sports Stadium closed for Independence appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

CAPS United midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo is back to full fitness and could feature for the Green Machine as early as this Sunday.

Makepekepe host Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium.

Chitiyo sustained a knee injury in February last year when he was hit by a car in Epworth.

CAPS United team doctor Nicholas Munyonga confirmed Chitiyo was now fully fit and, whether he will be part of the squad to face Chapungu, was up to the coaches.

“He is back in full training. He can as well play competitively, but what I can only say at the moment is medical.

“Whether he can play now or later is not my field,” he said.

Munyonga also confirmed utility player Blessing Sarupinda has recovered from the injury he sustained in the match against Bosso.

The former Black Rhinos star had to be replaced midway through the first half.

Makepekepe are one of the teams heavily tipped to win the championship this year.

The post Chitiyo Back to Full Fitness appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri hailed star striker Cristiano Ronaldo as being in a class of his own after he bagged a precious away goal in their 1-1 Champions League football quarter-final draw at Ajax on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo put Juventus in front on the stroke of half-time with a diving header to take his record goal tally in the competition to 125, only for Brazilian winger David Neres to level almost immediately after half-time to put the tie on a knife edge ahead of next week’s return leg in Turin.

“Ronaldo showed that he is on a different level. His timing and movement is different to everyone else’s, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

“He is a player who just has a different technique than the others.”

Ajax piled on the pressure at the Johan Cruyff Arena, going close on a number of occasions before Douglas Costa nearly delivered a late sucker punch for Juve when he struck the woodwork. Their spectacular comeback from a 2-1 first-leg home defeat to Real Madrid with a thumping 4-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in the previous round showed that the tie is far from over.

“It’s a good result because we scored away from home, the tie is still open,” added Allegri, who is looking to guide Juve to their first Champions League since 1996, when they beat Ajax in Rome.

“We were good defensively, the team was nice and compact, there is good reason to think we can get to the semi-finals.

The post ‘Ronaldo on another level’ appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

HERENTALS yesterday donated to the victims of Cylone Idai, with coach Kumbi Mutiwekuziva saying his club was targeting victory over Yadah Stars in a league match at Rufaro on Sunday.

Mutiwekuziva was part of the Herentals FC and Group of Colleges entourage which donated a consignment of goods in the capital yesterday. He said they should start winning games.

“It’s a cause for concern and we need to pick ourselves up in our next encounter against Yadah Stars who are not going to be easy opponents as they are in the same predicament as ours,” said the gaffer.

“We can’t say we are playing that badly, but lady luck is not on our side.

“Mind you, last season we lost our two opening matches and people started to count us out, but after Week Three, we became one of the teams to beat.

“I am happy with the team and it was unfortunate we lost in Kariba in the dying stages of the game and we need to guard against that in our next games.

“There is still a lot to play for and we are targeting to improve from our sixth position last year to be better-placed this year.”

The gaffer said he still had faith in his ageless vice captain Innocent Benza, the oldest player in the league.

“I think you are going to see more of him and I believe he will be making a lot of difference,” said the coach.

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