Collin Matiza Sports Editor
FORMER Zimbabwe senior champion rider Jayden Ashwell will lead a strong 56-member Zimbabwe team at this this year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships which will be held at Donnybrook in Harare on August 31 and September 1.

The FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations is an annual event which usually attracts all the top riders from seven African countries — Angola, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe — who compete for the top honours in all the classes from the PeeWees to the main MX1 Class.

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of this championship which was held in Botswana last year. Zimbabwe last hosted this event in 2015. And the Bogwheelers Club, who run the motorcycling sport of motocross in Zimbabwe, have named a strong 56-member Team Zimbabwe that will represent the country at this exciting two-day event and the team will be led by MX1 Class rider Ashwell (23), who is now based in South Africa. Ashwell takes over the captaincy of Team Zimbabwe from Ashley Thixton who has also been included in the same team despite his relocation to the Democratic Republic of Congo a few months ago.

At this year’s African Championships, Ashwell and Thixton will represent Zimbabwe in the main MX1 Class together with Hamish Perry, Frik Prinsloo and Cameron Thixton.

Two of the country’s most exciting junior riders Emmanuel Bako and Daiyaan Manuel are also part of Team Zimbabwe for the same event and will be fighting for the top honours in the 85cc Class where they will be joined by Jamie Doran, Ricky Whyte, Tristan Versveld, Dilan Faasen and Joshua Halkier.

On Sunday, Bako came second behind Manuel in the 85cc Class during round four of the National Championship series at Donnybrook. Interestingly there are three members of the Bako family in Team Zimbabwe for this year’s Africa Championships – Emmanuel, Munyaradzi and Junior.

Team Zimbabwe for the 2019 FIM Africa

Motocross of African Nations Championships

50cc Class: Wilhelm Krause, Sebastian Wright , Benin Doran , Kuzwai Chiturura, Junior Bako, Jayden Kerwin, George Zieman

65cc Class: Jordan Dewdney, Declan Barrett, Karl Van As, Blake Prinsloo, Munyaradzi Bako, Tariq Shelton, Riley Rocher, Jack Goby, Luke Southon, Campbell Rennie, Mugaro Kabasa, Ross Stewart

85cc Class: Daiyaan Manuel, Emmanuel Bako, Jamie Doran, Ricky Whyte, Tristan Versveld, Dilan Faasen, Joshua Halkier

125cc Class: Tristan Grainger, Liam Le Roux, Luke Doran, Cameron Mellor, David Evans

MX1 Class: Jayden Ashwell, Ashley Thixton, Hamish Perry, Frik Prinsloo, Cameron Thixton

MX2 Class: Regan Wasmuth, Joshua Goby, Ross Bredenkamp, Mitch Stead, Jarcque Duplessis, Liam Robinson

MX3 Class: Warren Thorne, Doug Mellor, Phil Dos Santos, Mark Ziemann, Adrian Olivier, Xenon Ekron

Masters Class: Shane Thomas, Trevor Thixton, Lofty Versveld, Jim Perry

Ladies 85cc Class: Celine Goodinson, Leigh-Anne Young, Bianca Beling, Tadiwanashe Nyamupfukudza

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By Mukudzei Chingwere

Zimbabwe international striker Nyasha Mushekwi has left his Chinese Super League football club — Dalian Yifang — to play in the lower tier league there.

The 31-year-old has reportedly joined Zhejiang Greentown, a club competing in China’s second tier league, on yet to be disclosed terms.

The former CAPS United forward seemed indispensable at Dalian Yifang with his incredible statistics.

Since joining the club in 2016, he has scored a praiseworthy 54 goals in 90 appearances. Despite the commendable statistics, TransferMarkt China, confirmed the news of his departure on micro-blogging site, Twitter.

“OFFICIAL: Dalian Yifang announced that their forward Nyasha Mushekwi has moved to CL 1 side Zhejiang Greentown,” reads the post.

The Chinese outfit has been very active on the transfer market, recruiting some of the best players in the world.

World class offensive players such as Belgian international Yannick Carrasco and former Napoli captain Marek Hamsik are now on the books of Dalian Yifang which might have pushed Mushekwi out of the club.

The big central striker was one of the highest profiled players in the Warriors set-up that participated at the ongoing 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt.

Mushekwi has braved an injury-ravaged career and on most occasions he has played under the heavy burden of pain.

Meanwhile, South African Premiership side Golden Arrows have agreed to sign Zimbabwe international goalkeeper, Edmore Sibanda, pending medicals, the player’s handlers have said. The big goalkeeper was rendered a free agent after his contract with South African lower league side Witbank Spurs expired at the end of last season.

The 35-year-old represented Zimbabwe at the African Cup of nations finals in Egypt where he made a series of impressive saves in the opening match against the hosts. Although he could not finish the game through injury, the former CAPS United man had done enough to convince international scouts.

Sibanda’s agent, Gibson Mahachi, confirmed the player left Zimbabwe yesterday to finalise details of a possible move to the Durban-based side.

“Edmore has left Zimbabwe for medicals in South Africa with Golden Arrows, and if he passes the medicals he will possibly join them. So for now let us wait for the results of the medicals, if they are happy I think we do not have any problems in completing the move, remember he is a free agent,” said Mahachi.

Sibanda seems to have already convinced coach Steve Khompela with his exploits and if he completes the transfer to the Princess Magogogo stadium he will join compatriots Knox Mutizwa and Danny Phiri.

And in another development, the Moyo brothers, Kevin and Elvis, finally made a professional breakthrough after completing a switch to another South African Premiership side Chippa United. The twin brothers signed two-year contracts with the side after a stint with two-time Zimbabwe Premiership champions FC Platinum. They have the option for a further year. Player intermediary Mahachi confirmed the move which brought the curtain down on a six-year stay at the defending champions, where they won two league titles in 2017 and 2018.

“Yes, I can confirm that they are now Chippa United players. The deal has been completed and we have agreed all the terms for the contracts. They signed two-year contracts plus one-year add on. They are already in South Africa preparing for a new chapter in their careers,” said Mahachi.

The 26-year-old defenders had become regular furniture at Mandava after joining the club in 2013 and helped the Zvishavane miners to back-to-back Premiership titles.

During his stay at FC Platinum, Kevin was voted Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Star of the Year first runner-up and second runner-up and has had several calls to the national team. Kevin had proved to be a reliable central defender but a breakthrough to the foreign leagues seemed elusive despite interests from clubs like SuperSport United at some point.

Speaking to The Herald from South Africa after completing the move, the central defender was happy that he had secured the move together with his twin brother, Elvis, a left sided defender.

“This is a new chapter for us and I am really happy we have joined a club with great ambitions. What makes this move sweeter is that we are coming here together with Elvis, we have always played together and I think it will help us to quickly settle at the new environment.”

“When we joined FC Platinum the dream was to win the league, after doing that on two occasions another objective was to reach the CAF Champions’ League group stages, I am happy we were part of the team when we achieved both goals. Now it is time for a new challenge and I wish FC Platinum all the best in their institutional objectives, we have very good memories at FC Platinum and it will be a dream to return to the club in future,” said Kevin Moyo.

The former Zimbabwe youth internationals become the second pair of twins from this country to play in the South African Premiership after the Mugeyi brothers, Wilfred and William. And after setting the South African football scene alight for almost a decade in the 1990s, two of Zimbabwe’s most revered identical twins – Wilfred and William Mugeyi – have decided to give back to the community by opening a football academy in that country.

Named the Mugeyi Sports Academy, the new project, which is located at Kidds Beach and Willow Park in East London, opened its doors for young, aspiring South African male and female footballers in February this year.

Source : The Herald

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By Phillipa Mukome

President Mnangagwa is making an effort to foster a culture of maintaining a clean environment through the declaration of the National Environment Cleaning Day, but it is worrying that people still continue to litter the streets.

Organisations have donated bins, almost in every street in most cities around the country to contribute to the success of the initiative, which is observed on the first Friday of each month.

The national environment cleaning across the country is carried out between 8am and 10am.

One cannot go beyond 10 metres without finding a bin whose distribution is one of the measures under the declaration to ensure the country has sustainable environment management and waste disposal systems.

Are people failing to understand the importance of a clean environment, despite the example, which is being set by the President? Councils are employing cleaners, who sweep the streets everyday, but by mid-day the streets will be littered.

Gone are the days when we used to have “vana mbuya utsanana” (elderly ladies who advised residents on cleanliness in the homes). They would visit homes to check whether hygiene was being practiced at household level.

The ladies were very strict in observing hygienic conduct and they would make sure that no dumping would take place in their areas of work.

Does it mean that people need to be policed to change their behaviours of throwing litter everywhere, even through windows of moving vehicles?

It boggles the mind that even when someone has just cleaned the street, another finds it comfortable to just throw litter on the same area that the broom would have just swept.

Harare City Council corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said behaviour change is a process which takes time and if the mindset of the people is changed all will go well.

“The declaration of the cleaning up campaign is a noble idea, which we are very happy about. We urge the media to keep supporting this idea by spreading the news to the people, as this will change the mindset and behaviour of throwing litter everywhere,” he said.

Mr Chideme, however, highlighted that elderly ladies who used to teach families about cleanliness in the homes were the ones now cleaning the streets. When President Mnangagwa declared the National Environment Cleaning Day, he noted that urban centres in Zimbabwe generated about 165 million tonnes of waste per year, the bulk of which end up in open illegal dump-sites, urban streams and wetlands.

A UN environment report presented by executive director Inger Andersen this month also states that plastic materials are the biggest pollutants of the environment, as a result, sound management of chemical, solid and electronic waste is needed for the protection of human health, flora and fauna, which is essential to development, stability and the eradication of poverty.

The world we live in is deteriorating rapidly due to the dire consequences of climate change, which manifest as floods, heatwaves, diseases, water and air pollution, land degradation and desertification among other challenges.

These developments require bold and decisive action with regards to environmental management. A look back at the 1980s and 1990s, reveals that each household had a metal bin with an address of the custodian. Loss of such a bin would result in one paying a fine.

It encouraged people to take good care of their bins. Councils should consider providing such bins; and for recycling and proper management of waste, they should provide specific bins for specific types of waste ranging from plastics, glasses, electronics (e-waste), diapers and organic material (food waste).

Mr Chideme, however, noted that the issue of fines was working, but it also needed cooperation of individuals and the community at large, so that its effectiveness is realised.

Education institutions are encouraged to scale up environmental awareness programmes within schools and colleges of higher learning, on the importance of respecting the environment, and living in harmony with nature, as this inculcates a culture of cleanliness.

Equipping future generations with the necessary environmental knowledge, and good behavioural culture will help in mitigating the effects of climate change through environmental restoration and conservation.

EMA environmental education and publicity manager Amkela Sindange said the major issue was to change the mindset at individual level and the nation at large.

“EMA’s thrust is to encourage stewardship so that we have a people with a positive mindset. One should feel guilty when they carelessly throw litter, and those who disobey rules and policies should be punished according to the Environmental Act Section 83,” she said.

According to EMA, road shows, meetings, radio and television programmes were helping to create awareness to the masses on issues of behavioural change in as far as littering is concerned.

In Rwanda, the cleaning campaign has been a success and the culture has recently become mandatory.

On the last Saturday of every month, from 8am to 11am, businesses close and traffic halts as citizens across the country take to their neighbourhoods, shovels and hoes in hand, and together try to make their environment cleaner than before.

As a nation, we have a lot to learn from Rwanda and hope to reach a stage where seeing litter in the streets will be a thing of the past, for the country is still transforming, and in the process of changing the behaviour and culture of littering.

Source : The Herald

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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor

CAF president Ahmad Ahmad has paid the ultimate compliment to Warriors’ super fan, Alvin ‘‘Aluvha’’ Zhakata, describing him as a true heart of football whose extraordinary passion is providing the fuel that is helping to keep the game alive on the continent.

The daredevil supporter, who completed a Cape to Cairo road trip to be part of the AFCON finals, was yesterday honoured by Ahmad, who handed him a VVIP ticket to watch tomorrow’s AFCON final, as a special guest of the leader of the continent’s football controlling body.

‘‘Today, I met @AlvinZhakata, a young man (who) came from Zimbabwe to Cairo by foot to see the AFCON2019,’’ Ahmad tweeted. He’s the proof of passion that Africa gives to football.

‘‘What courage, I offered him, in the name of CAF a ticket for the final game. He’s a true heart of our football.’’

StarFM sports editor, Steve Vickers, who is part of the television commentary crew of the 2019 AFCON finals, was a witness to the occasion.

He said Aluvha also had more interviews yesterday with Benin Sports, Egyptian, South Africa, Kenyan and Tanzanian media as his story continues to fascinate the world.

Vickers said Aluvha whispered to Ahmad for the continent’s leaders, like the CAF boss, to push for easy movement of Africans across the continent without visa hassles many usually confront.

Aluvha’s trip was almost prematurely ended after he ran into serious visa challenges at the Kenya-Ethiopia border and his compatriot, South African celebrity fan, Botha Msila, was forced to abandon the adventure and return to Nairobi where he caught a flight to Cairo.

But he will now be flown back home, courtesy of CAF, after the intervention by top Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, who has been fighting for him to be accorded special status by the continent’s football leaders.

Today, Aluvha and millions of his compatriots back home, will be glued to the draw for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers where the football gods could reopen the wounds inflicted by the Warriors’ disastrous 2019 Nations Cup finals campaign, by throwing them into the same qualifying group with two of the three teams they faced in Egypt.

The next AFCON finals will be in Cameroon in two years’ time.

While, the Warriors cannot face all the three teams they battled in Egypt – the Pharaohs, the Cranes of Uganda and the Leopards of DRC – they can be placed in a group that features two of those sides when the draw for the 2021 AFCON finals is held in Cairo today.

They could avoid all of the three sides, but take on either Algeria or Senegal, who battle for the AFCON trophy in Cairo tomorrow, or take on Nigeria or Tunisia, who clashed in the tournament’s third-place play-off match yesterday.

Or, they could face either Zambia or South Africa, in their group, although they cannot meet both teams – in the 2021 Nations Cup qualifiers.

According to the format of the draw, if the Warriors are drawn in a group that, for example, has hosts Cameroon they cannot face any of the rest of the heavyweight teams – Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, DRC, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria who are all in Pot 1.

And, in the event they get regular opponents like Guinea, for example, in their group, they cannot face any of the following teams – South Africa, Cape Verde, Uganda, Zambia, Benin, Gabon, Congo, Mauritania, Niger, Kenya and Libya, who are all from Pot 2.

Of course, the Warriors will have to take on one of these teams, in their group – Madagascar, who wrote the fairytale of the 2019 AFCON finals, Central Africa Republic, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Malawi, Togo, Sudan and Tanzania.

And, also one of these teams could also make the Warriors’ qualifying group – Burundi, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Comoros, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mauritius, Gambia, South Sudan, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles and Djibouti.

Incredibly, the Warriors could also find themselves in exactly the same group they had during the 2019 Nations Cup qualifiers – the DRC, Congo-Brazzaville and Liberia – in their quest to, for the first time in their history, book a place at the AFCON finals for the third straight tournament.

There will be four teams in each group with the two top teams qualifying for the 2019 AFCON finals but, for the group that features hosts Cameroon – who have an automatic place at the tournament – only one of the teams will accompany the Indomitable Lions to their party.

The teams in Pot 5 – Liberia, Mauritius, Gambia, South Sudan, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles and Djibouti – will have to play preliminary round elimination games, on a home and away knockout basis, with the remaining four then joining Pot 4 to be drawn with the rest for the group games.

CAF announced last week that the draw for the 2021 Nations Cup will be held in Cairo today, the same day the organisation will also be holding its 32nd Ordinary General Assembly meeting.

The continent’s football governing body used the FIFA world rankings, as per last month, for the draw and Senegal were the top African side, Tunisia in second place, Nigeria in third place, Morocco in fourth place, the DRC in fifth place, Ghana in sixth place, Cameroon in seventh place, Egypt in eighth place, Burkina Faso in ninth place and Mali in 10th place.

Zambia, who failed to qualify for the last two AFCON finals, were thrust into Pot 2 for the 2021 qualifying draw because, at 81st place on the FIFA world rankings last week, Chipolopolo were one of the highest placed African sides.

And, they will have the likes of South Africa, Cape Verde and Uganda in that pot.

Madagascar, who reached the quarter-finals of the current AFCON finals, are in Pot 3, because they were ranked 108th in the world last month, and are the top team in that pot, followed by the Warriors, who were ranked 109th, and only three slots separated them from Libya and Kenya who made Pot 2 ranked 105 in the world.

Although the Warriors topped a qualifying group that had the DRC and Congo-Brazzaville with a three-point cushion, and taking eight out of a possible 12 points from the two Congolese sides, they still had to settle for Pot 3 while the two neighbours, separated by the Congo River, made Pot 1 and Pot 2.

2021 AFCON Draw Pots

Pot 1 – Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, DR Congo, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria

Pot 2 – Guinea, South Africa, Cape Verde, Uganda, Zambia, Benin, Gabon, Congo, Mauritania, Niger, Kenya, Libya

Pot 3 – Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Central Africa Repubic, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Malawi, Togo, Sudan, Tanzania

Pot 4 – Burundi, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Comoros, Ethiopia

Pot 5 – Liberia, Mauritius, Gambia, South Sudan, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Djibouti

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

COSAFA have said ZIFA have no authority to recall Phillip Chiyangwa from his position as president and advised the domestic football leaders they can choose to opt out of the regional group if they so wish.

The COSAFA bosses, in a letter signed by secretary-general Sue Destombes, also believe efforts in Zimbabwe should be directed towards realising the massive potential that domestic football has instead of boardroom battles. Chiyangwa, a former ZIFA president, was accused of allegedly working to destabilise the domestic game.

His successor Felton Kamambo made sensational claims of sabotage against Chiyangwa with the association resolving to recall the businessman from his post as COSAFA boss.

However, COSAFA yesterday sent their response to ZIFA advising them that they have “no right to recall” their president.

Destombes, said COSAFA will not be dragged into the domestic affairs of a member association which should be solved internally.

“We are in receipt of your letter dated 10th July 2019, the contents of which have been noted and we respond as follows:

“1. Your allegations against the former president of ZIFA, whether founded or unfounded, are domestic in nature and should therefore be dealt with in Zimbabwe. These issues have nothing to do with COSAFA.

“2. The president of COSAFA was duly elected by the General Assembly of COSAFA in December 2016 in accordance with Article 10.3 of the Statutes.

“3. The Zimbabwe Football Association does not have the right to “recall Dr Philip Chiyangwa as COSAFA president” despite his nationality.

“4. The Zimbabwe Football Association, a Member of COSAFA should not seek to use the office of the president of COSAFA to resolve domestic disputes and in so doing, bring the Zonal Union and the presidency into disrepute.

“5. It is the prerogative of any Member Association to consider whether or not to participate in the activities of the Zonal Union.

“We trust that the Association will act in a responsible manner and seek to resolve any differences so that the focus of the leadership can be on football development and reaching the full and considerable potential which Zimbabwe has,” wrote Destombes.

The ZIFA leadership made stunning revelations that Chiyangwa was leading a syndicate that includes his former deputy Omega Sibanda, suspended board member Chamu Chiwanza and journalist Hope Chizuzu to destabilise their ship.

The group was also accused of fomenting disgruntlement in the Warriors camp during the AFCON tournament.

All three deny the charges.

ZIFA chief executive, Joseph Mamutse, then wrote to the regional football body to consider the motion to recall Chiyangwa.

“Mr Chiyangwa has been organising secret meetings with some individuals bent on sabotaging the current Zimbabwe football administration where plans were made and implemented to destabilise our football.

“Mr Chiyangwa has been through his contacts within Zimbabwean football and working with the likes of Hope Chizuzu actively involved in attempts to influence the Zimbabwe senior men’s team players to stage boycotts and near strikes leading to the disturbances which rocked our Warriors camp in Egypt.

“We advise that due to his interference in Zimbabwean football, we may be forced to reconsider our participation with COSAFA activities during Mr Chiyangwa’s tenure and hope COSAFA will see sense in our request,’’ said Mamutse in his letter.

Meanwhile, Chiwanza has filed an urgent High Court application seeking the nullification of the decision to suspend him from his role as a ZIFA board member.

The Harare businessman said it was irregular for him to be suspended by a ZIFA emergency committee without being afforded the chance to be heard.

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

JUST as Zimbabwe Cricket are preparing for D-Day at the International Cricket Council annual conference underway in England, Edward Rainsford has declined his election into the board that was recently suspended by the Sports Commission.

Rainsford announced his position through his lawyers Samukange and Hungwe Attorneys.

The former international cricketer was elected in absentia at the annual general meeting in Victoria Falls last month.

He was one of five new faces on the 13-member board on the basis of his specialist skills.

However, his lawyer Tafadzwa Charles Hungwe yesterday wrote to suspended Zimbabwe Cricket boss Tavengwa Mukuhlani declining the nomination and subsequent election.

Hungwe said Rainsford, who has since shifted to the commentary box, was not formally approached and has turned down the post.

“Our client advises us that at the annual general meeting of Zimbabwe Cricket held on the 14th of June 2019, he was nominated as a board member/director in terms of section 35 (4) of the Zimbabwe Cricket Constitution.

“While the nomination was done in his absence, our client has not received any formal appointment and consequently has not accepted such nomination.

“Our instructions are that, Mr Edward Rainsford respectfully declines the nomination/possible appointment into the Zimbabwe Cricket structures as he is pre-occupied with other cricket-related commitments at the moment.

“In the circumstances, kindly take note of our client’s wishes in relation to the aforementioned issue. We believe this should formalise our client’s position,” wrote Hungwe of Samukange Hungwe Attorneys.

The June annual general meeting resulted in a huge rift between ZC and the Sports Commission, who had apparently sent a directive for the indaba not to be held.

Mukuhlani was unanimously retained as ZC chairman for his second four-year term with Sylvester Matshaka as his deputy.

The other board members elected on the day included Tafadzwa Madoro (Harare Metropolitan), Godwin Dube (Bulawayo Metropolitan), Ronald Chibwe (Mashonaland West), Godfrey Nyadongo (Manicaland), Fiona Ndlovu (Matabeleland North), Arthur Maposa (Matabeleland South) and Bornface Machuwaire, Lincoln Bhila, Maureen Kuchocha and Lloyd Mhishi.

The Sports Commission reacted by suspending the entire board.

A new interim executive, led by veteran David Ellman-Brown, was appointed to run the affairs of the domestic game until next year.

This was despite the overhanging fears that these actions could be interpreted as interference by the ICC, who have since given a stern warning that Zimbabwe could face sanctions, which include expulsion, if found on the wrong side.

The ICC last month cut off funding for Zimbabwe Cricket until they make their own determination at their annual conference currently underway in England.

Sports Commission board chairman, Gerald Mlotshwa, confirmed Zimbabwe were being represented by members of the interim committee and remained confident ZC will be able to retain its membership with the global cricket body.

“As indicated in the SRC press release of last week, the interim committee has been invited by the ICC to address it before a decision is made on the membership status of Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe Cricket can only be represented by the interim committee. ICC has suspended funding of Zimbabwe Cricket pending the outcome of its deliberations precisely because it appreciates that the authority running Zimbabwe Cricket is the Interim Committee.

“If the fact were otherwise, funding would not have been suspended, nor would the interim committee be travelling to address the ICC board regarding the country’s membership status,” said Mlotshwa.

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James Rushton

BIRMINGHAM. — According to Marvelous Nakamba’s camp, the Zimbabwe international midfielder’s move to Aston Villa is currently “underway.’’

That doesn’t mean that it is complete, but it certainly means that the deal exists and is progressing.

Whether the terms are agreed is another thing entirely. The Nakamba case has turned into one of Aston Villa’s real transfer sagas this summer. Nakamba, of Club Brugge, was linked with a mega-money move to Aston Villa a few weeks ago — seemingly out of nowhere.

Now, after Nakamba’s return from duty with Zimbabwe’s national team there are alleged reports of a strike involving the player — who has been unfairly accused of trying to force a move away from Belgium.

Instead of speculating about the deal, and relying on second-hand reports, I followed this story up and asked a few questions of Nakamba’s representatives.

Nakamba will join Aston Villa for a fee lower than £15 million pounds, and ideally, he will join with Douglas Luiz.

As for Luiz, we have heard mixed reports about his work permit and were advised to take down an article posted yesterday about his work permit situation.

James Rushton is an authority on Aston Villa matters and writes a blog on the Premiership club for SBNation

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Ellina Mhlanga in LIVERPOOL, England

AFTER leading his side to securing a top eight finish at the Vitality Netball World Cup here, Gems coach Lloyd Makunde is now fancying their chances of a possible top six finish.

Zimbabwe carried through two wins from Group A in the Preliminaries Stage One to the Preliminaries Stage Two in Group F, which also includes Australia, New Zealand, Malawi, Northern Ireland and Barbados.

They then beat Barbados to take their victories to three, and secure a top-eight finish, which was their target coming into this competition.

Zimbabwe face Malawi this afternoon in their last Group F game.

A win will see them moving into third place in the group, which gives them the opportunity to challenge for the top six in the Play-offs and Placings where they will face a team from Group G.

The teams finishing first and second in Group F and G go through to the semi-finals while the teams finishing third and fourth from the two groups compete for final positions fifth to eighth.

Group G is made up of England, South Africa, Uganda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Scotland.

Zimbabwe are currently ranked fourth in Group F and are guaranteed of a top eight finish.

“We need to stay focused. We have never beaten Malawi but then everything starts somewhere,’’ said Makunde.

“I think this is our chance to beat them at the world stage. They rested their star players yesterday (Tuesday), so that they will play us, they also want to win against us.

“I think it will be the toughest game since we came here but then if we keep focused and play our normal game, we will be able to come out victorious.

“With how the team is playing now I am positive that we will pull through.’’

Malawi are occupying third position behind Australia and New Zealand.

“We are going to fight to the end but I have got this sixth sense that we are going to win the game,” said Makunde.

The teams that finish fifth in Group F and G play off for ninth and 10th places and the teams that finish last play for position 11 and 12.

Those that finished on the bottom in Group A to D at the Preliminaries Stage One, formed Group E and will play off for position 13 to 16.

The Gems coach is convinced their World Cup appearance is going to open doors for some of the players with scouts enquiring on the likes of Pauline Jani, Sharon Bwanali, Claris Kwaramba and Patricia Mauladi.

“Some scouts are making enquiries but there is nothing official as yet. We have Claris, Pauline and Sharon — those are some of the players being mentioned by scouts.

“I assure you that we will have a player or more being bought by one of the elite teams in three best leagues in the world.

“That’s the Vitality league here and Suncorp league in Australia and the New Zealand league. So we are hoping that we will have international players soon,” Makunde said.

Mauladi, the Gems centre, also confirmed the enquiries.

“I have been approached by some clubs but it’s still early to say what’s going to happen.

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PORTRUSH. — Tiger Woods acknowledges that he is still searching for his best form ahead of The Open Championship this week.

The 15-time major golf winner is coming off a lengthy break and has not played a competitive round since his T21 finish at the US Open in June.

Not only that, but Woods has never played on the links of Royal Portrush before.

Reports revealed that he played 18 holes with 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed on Sunday, then went around again on Monday with Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler. Despite his lack of preparation, a final seven-hole loop on Tuesday marked the end of his course scouting.

“(My game’s) not quite as sharp as I’d like to have it right now,” the 43-year-old told his press conference.

“My touch around the greens is right where I need to have it but I still need to get the ball – the shape of the golf ball a little bit better than I am right now.

“Especially with the weather coming in and the winds going to be changing, I’m going to have to be able to cut the ball, draw the ball, hit at different heights and move it all around.

“I’ve seen enough of (the course) to understand that I’m still going to have to do quite a bit of homework in my yardage book of trying to figure out how I’m going to play each hole with the different winds that are going to be predicted to blow and where to miss the golf ball in the correct spots.” Woods will tee off at the 148th Open Championship with Matthew Wallace and Reed for company today. — AFP.

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ZIMBABWE Ladies’ Golf Union are bracing for a busy week with the hosting of the A and B Triangular Ladies Golf tournament.

The tournament began yesterday.

They will also stage the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Ladies Open Strokeplay Championship.

In the A and B Triangular event at Royal Harare, the team is competing against sides from Zambia and Botswana.

ZLGU president, Ilonka Bekker, is hoping for the best from the team.

The Division A team comprises Loveness Chandavengerwa (captain), Privilege Charumbira, Polly Crewe, Audrey Kamalizeni and Virginia Vhudzi.

The B Division has Tsitsi Nhongo as captain, Sazi Makumbe, Connie Mashiri, Regina Munyaradzi and Anne Nduku.

Chapman Golf Club teaching professional, Cath Riley, is the coach and manager of the Zimbabwe team.

Zambia is being represented by Angela Banda, Kekelwa Kwalombota, Esther Wemba, Joyce Chipeta and Exilda Ndaba in the A Division with their B Division team featuring Chileshe Mwaba, Edna Njolvu, Minesi Siame, Lynette Simuchimba and Dolly Mbambara.

Botswana is being represented by Patience Matlotse (captain), Sandra Hughes, Lesedi Maliindah, Paakanyo Moseki and Thomo Pule in the A Division.

Beauty Malebogo Morebodi (captain), Gaone Golowe, Goatshwana Musa Magowe, Goitseone Moninghie Mothelesi and Monica Tabengwa make up their team in the B Division.

The A and B Triangular Series will be quickly followed by the ZLGU Open Strokeplay at the Borrowdale Brooke Golf and Country Club from tomorrow to Sunday — ZLGU.

The post Zim host A and B series appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Olympic Committee’s vice presidency slot will be filled at their general assembly at Prince Edward on July 28.

The slot was left vacant after Kirsty Coventry was appointed Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation last year.

She had been appointed vice-president of ZOC in April 2017 when a new board, headed by Admire Masenda, was ushered in.

In a presentation to the national associations during an indaba convened by the Sports Commission at the weekend, ZOC development officer, Newman Gomendo, revealed the elections would be held in a fortnight.

“ZOC General Assembly includes elections for the vacant post of vice president — Sunday 28 July 2019 at 10am at Prince Edward School.

“Documents for the General Assembly will be circulated next week, including audited financial statements, report on activities of the Board and confirmation of candidates eligible for election to the vacant post,” he said.

In that presentation, ZOC also gave the national associations an update on the Tokyo 2020 Games, regarding athletes’ qualification, whose window generally begins in June 2019 to June 2020.

“As at 30th June 2019, the Tokyo 2020 team squad long list is made up of the NFs listed below:

“This is intended to guide ZOC in pursuit of a realistic submission of an Estimated Time Size (ETS) due by 19th July 2019 (Tokyo 2020 1st early deadline).

“Archery (3), Athletics (11), Boxing (12), Cycling (9), Equestrian (3), Golf (2), Judo (10), Rowing (3), Shooting (1), Triathlon (1), Swimming (10), being (1) elite (9) from the Excellence squads, hockey women (44) and men (30). Rugby 7s — women (23) and men (35). “ZOC has also applied for support for the Team Sport of Rugby 7s men (Team Support Grant) — preparation leading up to qualification event in November 2019,” Gomendo said. Tokyo 2020 Games chef de mission, Thabani Gonye, is also expected to attend a CDM meeting scheduled for next month. The Olympic Committee also presented a detailed report on the scholarships which are awarded to athletes who fall in their priority sport code.

ZOC have a budget of approximately US$252 000 over the period of three years which is determined by the Olympic Solidarity.

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PERTH. — Paul Pogba shined as under-pressure Manchester United stepped up their pre-season football campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of old rivals Leeds yesterday. United had faced criticism after an unconvincing 2-0 victory over a depleted Perth Glory on the weekend.

In a much-needed tonic, the Red Devils clinically dismantled Leeds, who have high hopes of returning to the English Premier League for the first time since 2004.

Pogba, who has been linked with a move to Juventus and Real Madrid, starred in United’s dominant first-half and was part of a pretty chain of passing to set up 17-year-old Mason Greenwood’s first senior goal in the seventh minute.

Moments later, a powerful strike from the French midfielder was well saved by goalkeeper Kiko Casilla. But it was only a matter of time before United broke through with a moment of magic in the 27th minute from Marcus Rashford, a livewire in the first half. After a wondrous dribble past the lead-foot defence, the 21-year-old expertly tapped it past Casilla.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer changed his entire lineup at half-time in a repeat of Saturday’s match against Perth. United continued to dictate, with Phil Jones scoring a thumping header from a corner kick in the 51st minute.

Anthony Martial rounded out a spectacular performance in the 68th minute by converting a penalty after Tahith Chong was taken down in the box.

The first clash in eight years between the one-time bitter enemies fizzled out, but a near capacity Perth Stadium crowd of 55 000 underlined the rivalry’s stature. — AFP.

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS coach Tonderai Ndiraya is disappointed they will miss skipper Edward Sadomba in the Harare Derby against old rivals CAPS United at Rufaro this Sunday.

Sadomba, who has been the a vital cog in the Glamour Boys’ campaign this year, was recommended by the team’s medical staff to take a rest this week.

He suffered a concussion in their last outing against Black Rhinos.

DeMbare will also be without striker Tawanda Macheke, who is battling a knee injury, and Ghanaian import Robert Sackey who picked up an ankle knock during training.

Ndiraya believes they won’t be short of leaders on the pitch as he hopes to push for the finalisation of Godknows Murwira’s arrival, on loan from FC Platinum, before the weekend game.

Despite missing the three forwards because of injuries, the coach is also feeling secure following the signing of experienced players like Evans Katema and Simba Nhivi, who featured for the first time this season in the 1-1 draw against Rhinos last week.

“Edward is out for this week. I think that’s what the medical team recommended. He suffered concussion so, naturally, he needs some time off.

“It’s always difficult when you lose your leader on the pitch. Edward is our captain so we are, obviously, going to miss his leadership.

“But I am sure we also have good and capable leaders in the ranks. We have brought in good and experienced players who are also leaders in their own right.

“Edward has really done well in the campaign but I think he can rest and recover well fully knowing that there are other players able to take up the responsibility in his absence,” said Ndiraya.

Midfielder Archford Gutu has also completed his move back to the struggling giants but tough decisions have to be made on whether or not he plays this Sunday because of lingering fitness concerns.

Ndiraya said they were expecting a swift conclusion of the talks between FC Platinum and the DeMbare leadership for the return of Murwira on loan.

Apparently, the 2018 Soccer Star of the Year finalist has been experiencing a difficult year with the league champions because of lack of game time.

“Godknows is not yet our player, he is still an FC Platinum player but, of course, an agreement was reached for him to join us,’’ said Ndiraya.

“I think it’s the finer details of the agreement that are being worked out and I hope that by the end of the day, or by tomorrow, his paperwork will be done so that he may be ready to play on Sunday.

“Of course, Godknows comes in as a utility player. He covers so many positions, so his inclusion will give us so many options.

“He brings in some quality to the team. He also brings some wealth of experience because he has been there for a while now and it’s something which has been missing in our team.

“Besides, he is a boy I have worked with in the past. I know how best to use him, I know how to get the best out of him.’’

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve), Herentals v Hwange (National Sports Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Triangle (Nyamhunga), Yadah v Harare City (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Black Rhinos (Baobab), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava)

Sunday: Manica Diamonds v Highlanders (Vengere), Dynamos v CAPS United (Rufaro), TelOne v Mushowani Stars (Luveve)

Source : The Herald

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JOHANNESBURG. — Zimbabwean talisman Khama Billiat looks set to remain at South African Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs for the upcoming season.

Billiat admitted prior to the 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt he would use the event to attract interest from European clubs.

However, it appears as if the inquiries have come from some of the biggest teams on the African continent, including Zamalek, who reportedly tabled a R23 million offer for his services.

However, according to Vina Maphosa of Amakhosi, Billiat made it clear that he wants to remain at the club for the new campaign.

“With Khama, there have been inquiries, but he has made it clear that he wants to remain at Kaizer Chiefs.

“That’s the little we can share with your readers for now. They must understand you’re asking your questions before the facts,” Maphosa told Goal.

Billiat has already returned to the club after being given an extended break following Zimbabwe’s participation in the AFCON 2019 tournament.

He is likely to take part in Amakhosi’s pre-season friendly against Township Rollers in Botswana this weekend.

The 28-year-old had a bitter-sweet first season with Amakhosi, where he finished as their top goalscorer with 14 goals in all competitions even though the club failed to lift a major trophy. — Goal.com

Source : The Herald

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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
TEAM Zimbabwe for next month’s African Games in Morocco will be revealed next week with the management committee busy streamlining the sporting codes that will represent the country.

The management technical team is headed by Martin Dururu.

The Games will run from August 19 to 31 in Rabat and Casablanca.

And the Government, the principal sponsors for the team’s participation at the continental Games, have committed to funding and support.

The chef de mission for the team, Eugenia Chidhakwa, is in Morocco to finalise participation of Team Zimbabwe and securing athletes’ acceptance.

Twenty six 26 sporting codes are on offer at the Games.

However, Zimbabwe will not feature in all the codes and the exact number of athletes would be known once Chidhakwa returns from Morocco.

Some team sporting disciplines such as football, handball and indoor volleyball were required to compete at the Games by qualifying but failed to do so.

Other disciplines also failed to make the grade due to compliance issues.

Dururu said they have since met with each national sports association to discuss the composition of teams and qualification standards.

“We started from a long list and then met with associations looking at athlete by athlete, if they had met the selection process from that stage, and we were then able to do accreditation of the long list.

“We then met with associations and did accreditation of the short list

“Next week, we will have the unveiling ceremony to announce the team that will go for the Games.

“There were some teams that were expected to go through qualifiers but others couldn’t, for example handball failed, indoor volleyball didn’t attend the qualifiers, and football couldn’t make it due to the criteria which was being used by CAF.

“For individual sport, for example athletics, they have to meet certain times.’’

Golf was removed from participating codes as it requires a lengthy period to prepare playing courses which were not available when Morocco was granted the right to host the tournament last year following Equatorial Guinea’s withdrawal.

However, rowing were forced to withdraw as they would be participating at the Rowing Championships.

Source : The Herald

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Dubai — The introduction of concussion replacements and a change to over-rate punishments were two of the major decisions made at the International Cricket Council (ICC) annual conference in London, where the headline was the decision to suspend Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) with immediate effect.

The ICC board unanimously decided that the full member had failed to fulfil their obligation to provide a process for free and democratic elections and to ensure that there is no government interference in its administration for cricket.

ICC funding will be suspended, and representative teams from the country will be barred from participating at ICC events, putting their participation in
October’s Men’s T20 World Cup qualifier in jeopardy.

“We do not take the decision to suspend a member lightly, but we must keep our sport free from political interference,” ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said.

“What has happened in Zimbabwe is a serious breach of the ICC constitution and we cannot allow it to continue unchecked. The ICC wants cricket to continue in
Zimbabwe in accordance with the ICC constitution.”

Concussion replacements will also be introduced following successful trials in domestic cricket.

The player will need to be a like-for-like substitute, and any such switch will need to be approved by the match referee.

The change will come into effect from August 1, meaning the first game for which they will be in play will be the first men’s Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

Also significant is an alteration to punishments for maintaining a slow over-rate. Captains will no longer face suspension, but players face point deductions
in the ICC Test Championship for breaches.

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Liverpool — Malawi yesterday recorded a 59-43 win over African rivals Zimbabwe to secure third place in Group F today.

The Queens continued their impressive tournament so far, and have now given themselves a real chance of securing a top six finish.

The match was the first ever World Cup meeting between the sides, who had both impressed during the tournament so far.

Malawi were able to bring Joyce Mvula back into the team, while Zimbabwe were again backed by their increasing band of supporters, whose vocal and vibrant
backing of their team – World Cup debutants – has become a fantastic feature of the competition.

It was the Zimbabweans who started the better, taking advantage of what was a scrappy start to the game to establish a 4-1 lead, but some good work defensively
from Towera Vinkhumbo allowed Malawi to find their feet, and then come roaring back.

Mvula and the ever-dependable Jane Chimaliro helped to take the scoreline out to 10-5 in the Queens’ favour, before the teams traded goals in a more even
period, to end the first quarter at 12-8 to the Malawians.

Zimbabwe brought on the talismanic figure of Pauline Jani for the second quarter, and she made a positive impact, scoring with her first three attempts early
on in the quarter.

However, the dominant figure in the goal third was undoubtedly Vinkhumbo, and her assured play was replicated further up the court as Malawi embarked upon a
scoring streak.

They took their lead out to ten (22-12) midway through the quarter, and despite a mini Zimbabwean revival – encouraged by their passionate support – the margin
stayed consistent at half time, with Malawi going in 28-18 up.

The Queens took that momentum into the third quarter, scoring the first seven goals of the segment as Vinkhumbo’s outstanding performance continued, and Mvula
and Chimaliro continued to work well together in the opposing circle.

Joice Takaidza registered Zimbabwe’s first goal of the quarter six minutes in, and the Zim Gems put together a much more cohesive performance in the second
half of the quarter, eventually only losing it by four.

However, Malawi’s overall lead was growing, and was out to 43-29 by the end of the third period.

The final quarter was to prove the tightest of the game, as Zimbabwe put together an impressive finish, but Malawi had done more than enough to sew up victory
and go into the play-off and placing games with real confidence.

The outstanding Vinkhumbo was replaced with three minutes left – Malawi’s first change of the match – while there was a more worrying substitution for
Zimbabwe, who saw Takaidza leave the arena via a wheelchair after a collision. Malawi will now play the fourth-placed finishers in Group G to determine who
will play-off for fifth place.

Player of the match Vinkhumbo said: “We are happy because we wanted to beat Zimbabwe. They are a tough team and they have been doing good in their games so
far, so we really wished to win this game.

“I am so pleased with my performance because it’s motivated me for the games remaining. I knew that if I intercepted more balls, it would give an advantage to
our side.”

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CAIRO — A Zimbabwean nurse travelled from Cape Town to Cairo by road enduring visa delays, internet blackouts and revolutionary protests all for the love of football.

Alvin “Aluvah” Zhakata had intended to make it to Egypt for the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on June 21, when Zimbabwe’s Warriors took on the hosts.

But he missed the match because his epic journey took much longer than expected.

Yet thanks to those following his adventures on Twitter, he has now become a celebrity – and the African football boss has presented him with a ticket to
today’s final between Algeria and Senegal.

When the 32-year-old arrived in the Egyptian capital last week, completing his 44-day 10 000km trip, he said it was well worth it despite some nerve-wracking
experiences.

And he says he has learnt a lot about himself and Africa.

“I used to think I was not patient, but my patience was stretched to the maximum – I’ve got a bigger patience threshold than I thought,” he told the BBC.

His other more sobering discovery was that “Africa is not friendly to Africans” – in terms of visas and borders.

Most people visiting from Europe or the United States were treated better, he said.

“And some of the visa fees for African countries, they are actually more expensive than visa fees when you want to go to Europe – and the waiting period takes
too long.

“I believe we need a borderless Africa.”

The journey began on May 27 on a route passing through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

He started off with his friend Botha Msila, a South African football fan, who lives near Cape Town, and they hitched lifts or caught buses.

“We wanted to make history as the first people to make it from Cape to Cairo by road for a sports tournament,” Zhakata said.

The locum nurse, who lives in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, had kept in touch with Msila since meeting him at the Cosafa Cup final in South Africa’s Sun City two
years ago.

He had told him about how he had made a solo road trip in 2016 from Harare to Kigali to support the Warriors at the African Nations Championship in Rwanda.

They then cooked up their plan and raised funds for the journey from well-wishers following the hashtag #CapeToCairo to see their progress across the
continent.

But the two friends were separated when Msila turned back at the Kenya-Ethiopian border as he could not get a visa.

Ethiopia only allows online visa applications for travellers by road.

While they had the fee in cash, they needed help to get the funds electronically into their account. But then their application was further delayed by five
days.

“Unfortunately, their system was down because there was a national internet shutdown to avoid exam cheating,” explained Zhakata.

“I was so dejected that I couldn’t finish my food and my beer.”

Msila, known for his travels across South Africa and beyond to support the Bafana Bafana and his local club Bloemfontein Celtic, was so distraught he threw in
the towel, returning to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

A South African broadcaster came to his rescue paying for a flight for him from Nairobi to Cairo.

But Zhakata was determined to stick to his guns.

And that is exactly what he walked into in Sudan where the security forces were out in force as protesters took to the streets of the capital, Khartoum, on
June 30 demanding an end to military rule.

The country has been hit by turmoil since the military ousted President Omar al-Bashir in April, but Zhakata hadn’t a clue what was going on.

He walked directly into the path of the protest as he was making his way to the Egyptian consulate in Khartoum.

“I could tell that something was happening, but I couldn’t tell what,” Zhakata said.

“I saw graffiti on the walls written in Arabic, with the number 30, but I couldn’t understand it. There were soldiers everywhere and people told me it’s not
safe.”

He was detained by police briefly and then released in what he calls a “shaking moment”.

People who were following his journey on social media then became extremely concerned as there was no news from Zhakata for more than a week.

The internet had been shut down in the country since a crackdown on pro-democracy activists on 3 June.

“I did find a place where I could go online for $30 (£24) for an hour. I saw all of these messages on social media with people being worried about me.”

His wry observations about life on the continent have been a subject of debate.

He posted one video as heavy rain turned the streets of Ethiopia’s capital into rivers, saying, “You hear that? These ain’t gunshots. It’s giant hail the size of tennis balls.”

The Kenyan capital does not get a particularly good write-up: “Enter Nairobi, everything changed, traffic congestion unbearable, filthy and muddy streets,
potholes, lots of activity, vendors with megaphones, bikes hooting, and generally dodgy pip.

“Everyone who helped us asked for a tip. Even police officers.”

In central Tanzania he observed that children of school-going age were working as vendors on the highway “selling farm produce, grapes, honey and fish. It
seems education is not a priority in this part of the world”.

Besides the visa headaches, language was the most difficult barrier. In Tanzania he said most people were unwilling to communicate in English, and they were
“even told to learn Swahili at school”.

In Ethiopia when he was ordered off a bus at 4pm because of a transport curfew he tried to find a bar to watch the Warriors’ match that night, but ended up,
after many crossed wires and an expensive taxi ride, at a shop selling sports equipment.

But he was welcomed in some towns by people who were following his journey online – like Firew Asrat in Hawassa in Ethiopoia, who gave him football shirts and
shared a beer with him. He tweeted: “This #Tweethiopian is the walking embodiment of the mantra #AfricaUnite.”

He says he tasted the best beer of his trip in mainly Muslim Egypt – a Stella – perhaps out of relief that his exploits were over. The best food – of roasted
meat and maize meal – was in Zambia.

His one disappointment has been the performance of the Warriors, who crashed out in the first round – amidst rows over pay.

But he says his achievement – which has become one of the biggest stories of this Afcon tournament – shows it pays to “dare to dream”.

“If you have a passion for something, go for it. Pursue it until you get it. It may be delayed, but delay is not denial – be patient and be strong, because the
harder the battle, the sweeter the victory,” he says.

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LIVERPOOL — A few hours before his side claimed an unlikely third World Cup victory over Barbados on Tuesday, Zimbabwe head coach Lloyd Makunde snatched some time for a quick shopping trip in Liverpool city centre. With a meagre sum of £30, he headed for the nearest sports shop to see how far he could stretch his cash.

The objects of his desire were “cones, resistance bands, hurdles” and the type of training equipment that every netball club in Britain has in abundance, but which are so lacking in Zimbabwe. By any standards of elite sport it was a paltry amount, but the crucial fact is this was Makunde’s own money; the coach forced to take cash from his own pocket to try to further Zimbabwean netball’s cause. “I am buying for myself, but doing it for the country,” he tells
Telegraph Sport.

Makunde is cheery as cars whizz past us on the dual carriageway that Zimbabwe’s budget Liverpool hotel sits on. He has good reason to be content. Having
coached the national side for 22 years, he has spent the past few days watching his team take the World Cup by storm on their tournament debut.

Ranked 13th in the world, they are certain to finish no lower than eighth and could yet come fifth – a staggering achievement.

In fact, it is not just their first time at a World Cup, but the first time they have played any of the world’s best teams. Ordinarily consigned to facing only
fellow African opposition, they did once fly out to Hong Kong, where they faced lowly nations who failed to even qualify for this tournament. That is the sum
of their global netball experience.

So the fact they have beaten Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland and Barbados, as well as causing unexpected problems for reigning world champions Australia, is
something of a marvel. Even more so when you consider the hardship they have endured to even be here.

With money hard to come by and sporting funds in an overwhelmingly patriarchal society diverted towards the nation’s male footballers, the netball team were
forced to crowdfund their way to this tournament.

Even then, says Makunde, “we were with our begging bowl and nobody looked at us”. The desperate hope is that success in Liverpool will change that.

“Our game is rising bit by bit,” says Makunde. “But imagine if we had the funding that we want, the equipment, the infrastructure.

“We have only one indoor court in Zimbabwe, but it is being used by basketball and volleyball, so it’s hard for us to use. So we train outdoors. It was only
when we came here that we started practising on the type of court everyone else uses. We need training equipment. We always come up with anything to substitute
equipment, but you can’t substitute something like a resistance band. While I am here I’m going to buy myself some equipment with the little I have, so that
when I get home I can rely on that, lest anything doesn’t change.”

Just two of Zimbabwe’s World Cup squad ply their trade away from their home country – star shooter Joice Takaidza, who lives in Australia, and Adelaide Muskwe,
a student at Nottingham Trent, whose twin brother Admiral plays football for Leicester City.

The hope, says long-term captain Perpetua Siyachitema, is that some of her team might be scouted to join Severn Stars player Muskwe in the English Superleague,
or one of the other major global leagues.

That prospect has gone for Siyachitema – one of a large majority of Zimbabwe players who are also mothers – whose international career will come to an end
after this World Cup.

She can retire content having played the best teams in the world, in front of a spectacular troop of Zimbabwean fans who have lit up the M&S Bank Arena every
day.

“I was so excited when I saw we were in a group with Australia and New Zealand because it has always been my dream to play them,” she says. “We really wanted
to prove how good we are. We only play other African teams so we aren’t out there on the netball map. People don’t know us.”

For any progress to be made, that must change immediately, says Makunde. He has a simple plea to the world’s leading netball nations: “Let us play you.”

He says: “Imagine if we had come here after playing a friendly with England, Jamaica or New Zealand. Then we could sit down and learn from where we went wrong.

Think how much better we would be now. Even for tournaments in Africa, teams like South Africa, Uganda and Malawi don’t come because they are low profile
tournaments. So we are only able to play teams ranked lower than us.

“We have abundant talent in Zimbabwe. If we can get exposure and financial resource I know we can go far. If we get that, I assure you come the next World Cup
we will be a force to be reckoned with.” — Telegraph

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BY HENRY MHARA/FORTUNE MBELE

THE last time Highlanders visited Vengere Stadium in Rusape, they left a disappointed lot. They complained about almost everything.

They were disappointed with the way the match officials had handled the match. They were not happy with the opposition players, who they accused of rough play and time wasting.

Their coach, then Madinda Ndlovu, had a scuffle with journalists after the match. But their major grumble was the state of the Vengere pitch.

Highlanders had lost that match to Mutare City, and they had plenty of reasons to mourn. They were not the only once though who had returned from that part of
the country with a sour taste in their mouth.

Almost all the teams that had visited Vengere, had something bad to say about the state of the pitch. And for a good reason too.

As Bosso return to Rusape this weekend to face Manica Diamonds on Sunday, the team’s technical team is a worried lot.

They are worried that the bumpy and rough pitch that is Vengere does not suit their carpet football.

“Away games are sometimes difficult. When we played in Vengere last time, the turf was not good. It’s not like Luveve and Barbourfields. It’s a small and bumpy
field. The field can come into play as well and can make it difficult if you are not used to it. We play a passing game and at Vengere you cannot not play that
type of game, and you are bound to make a lot of mistakes,” bemoaned Highlanders assistant coach Bekithemba Ndlovu at the team’s Press conference yesterday.

Ndlovu could be in charge of the team for this tough trip as his boss, Mandla Mpofu, is on compassionate leave following the death of his brother. Manica
Diamonds have been playing their home matches in Gibbo Stadium, down in Triangle, as both their preferred home grounds stadiums, Sakubva and Vengere, failed to
meet PSL standards.

Vengere has since been homologated to host league matches, but the state of the pitch remains a ground for concern.

Ndlovu has happy memories with Vengere, through. In his last visit there in charge of Bulawayo City last year, he got away with all the three points. Maybe,
just maybe, Highlanders fans are hoping that Ndlovu will use his super magic to help the team achieve what looks like an impossible feat here.

Ndlovu watched Manica Diamonds lose to Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve last week and noted some weaknesses in the team that they will exploit. “We saw them play
Bulawayo Chiefs. But when they play us, it will not be the same. But from what I saw, I think we have a good chance of collecting three points. We will have to
fight to get the three points. It’s a game where we can get our first set of three points away,” Ndlovu said.

Attacking midfielder Devine Mhindirira is doubtful for the match after picking a knee injury in the 1-1 draw against FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium in
Highlanders’ last assignment.

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