LONDON. – On-loan Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos has dismissed the possibility of extending his stay at the Emirates, saying he is determined to fight for a place at Spanish football giants Real Madrid next season.

Ceballos joined Los Blancos on a six-year deal from Real Betis for 18 million euros in the summer of 2017, however, he struggled to tie down a regular spot in his first two seasons at the Bernabeu. The midfielder, who can play in a variety of positions, started just four games during his debut campaign in Madrid before earning a further 13 starting appearances in 2018-19. With his chances set to be limited again this season, Ceballos took it upon himself to secure a loan move away from the Spanish giants. It appears a warning from Spain boss Roberto Moreno played a big part in his decision to head out on-loan as he looks to ensure he is in the coach’s plans for Euro 2020. So far, his move to north London for the 2019-20 campaign has proven to be a successful one and he is earning plenty of admirers in England. -AFP.

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FC Platinum coach Lizwe Sweswe wants his side to send shockwaves across the continent in their CAF Champions League Group of Death.

The Zvishavane side were drawn in a Group B that features former winners Al Ahly of Egypt and Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia.

Perennial campaigners Al Hilal of Sudan complete the group.

“As you can see, these are big teams. On paper, it looks like this is going to be a tough group because all these teams are teams with history,” said Sweswe.

“But we are in it to compete. I don’t think we are only there to add the numbers and we have to brace ourselves for the competition.

“Being among the top 16 teams again shows that we are coming of age as a football club.

“Our goal is to do better than what we did the last time. We have to be seen to be growing. We have travelled across Africa and I think the boys now have an idea of what to expect.

“We have seen how things are done in such competitions. I am sure the experience and exposure we have got in the previous campaigns will help us push through.”

The group stage games are expected to start next month and will spill into next year.

FC Platinum picked just two points in the group phase in the last campaign where they were paired against the likes of Orlando Pirates, AC Horoya and eventual champions Esperance of Tunisia.

“I think Al Ahly will be the biggest challenge,” said Sweswe. “They have the best records compared to any team and that obviously gives them the psychological edge.

“But, that’s not to say that the other teams are not good.”

Etoile du Sahel have won one CAF Champions League title, two CAF Super Cup titles, two CAF Confederation Cup titles and two African Cup Winners’ Cup.

Al Hilal, a club that Dynamos captain Edward Sadomba used to play for, are also not new to the African jungle.

Sweswe’s men are battling on three fronts, with a Domestic Double still within sight.

The platinum miners progressed to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup following a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Chapungu at Mandava.

The game had ended goalless.

CAF Champions League draw

Group A: Primeiro de Agosto (Angola), ZESCO (Zambia), Zamalek (Egypt)/Generation Foot (Senegal), TP Mazembe (DRC)

Group B: FC Platinum (Zimbabwe), El Hilal (Sudan), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), Al Ahly (Egypt)

Group C: Atletico (Angola), USM Alger (Algeria), Sundowns (South Africa), Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)

Group D: Raja Casablanca (Morocco), JS Kabylie (Algeria), AS Vita Club (DRC), Esperance (Tunisia)

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They both endured horror debut matches in charge, with their two clubs leaking a combined seven goals, but since that nightmare, Rahman Gumbo and Darlington Dodo have been the toast of the Castle Lager Premiership.

Gumbo’s first match at TelOne could not have gone any worse, a 0-3 thrashing at Nyamhunga at the hands of ZPC Kariba, although, he can provide the alibi he hardly knew any of the players he fielded after having arrived at the club a few days earlier.

Dodo also received a baptism of fire, with CAPS United conceding four goals at Ascot against Chapungu and, although his men scored twice, the dominant narrative afterwards was that the Green Machine leaders had gambled badly to invest their trust in him.

Tasked with filling the big shoes left by Lloyd Chitembwe, CAPS United’s most decorated servant as a player and coach, was never something that was going to be easy and the four-goal mauling sent critics into overdrive slamming the decision to give Dodo the assignment.

Things, argued the critics, could only go downhill for the Green Machine from there and a good opportunity, for them to win the league championship in a season where none of the clubs have imposed themselves, was set to be wasted.

“I think it was natural for people to question our decision, especially after what happened at Chapungu in his first game in charge, because when a club like ours concede four goals, it sparks a lot of debate,” said club president Farai Jere.

“And, with a new man in charge, people were always going to ask questions and say that we had made a big blunder to trust Dodo with this responsibility.

“But, we didn’t panic, which was key, because we have been in such a situation before.

“Remember, when Charlie (Charles Mhlauri) came, there were a lot of people who asked if he had the profile and credentials to coach a club like CAPS United because they didn’t know him.

“But, he was given a chance and he won over those who were doubting him by leading us to the league championship in 2004 and 2005.

“Even when Lloyd (Chitembwe) came in, there were some voices that doubted if he could stand the heat, with some even saying he was too young, but we knew his quality and he delivered in a big way for the club.”

Dodo — an unassuming character who was plucked from Swaziland, where he was coaching by Chitembwe to boost his backroom staff — has led CAPS United to four wins in their last five league games, including three victories on the trot.

Those wins have come against Black Rhinos (2-1), Harare City (1-0), Triangle (2-1) and Mushowani Stars (2-1), where the Green Machine became the first club to beat the hosts at their Trojan fortress in the Premiership.

Only a wild 3-3 draw against Bulawayo Chiefs spoiled what would have been a perfect five for Dodo and his men in their last five league matches.

Still, those four wins and a draw, which have powered Makepekepe to a five-point lead at the top of the table, have been the best return, by a club, in the last five league matches in the league.

“We took ourselves to the top and it’s us who are going to make sure that we try and maintain what we want to achieve,” said Dodo.

“These boys really know what we want.”

Former Warriors coach Gumbo, who went to the 2019 AFCON finals as assistant to Sunday Chidzambwa, has won the domestic championship before and also captured league titles in Malawi and Botswana. On August 22 this year, he was unveiled as the TelOne coach together with new signings, King Nadolo, David Temwanjira, Charles Mutero, Fredrick Muza and Gift Bvundura.

His mandate was to help the club avoid relegation.

“From what I have seen from the players, relegation can be avoided. What is lacking is confidence and through my experience and value, I can bring that,” Gumbo said.

“I am not under pressure, I am coming to enjoy myself. I am an established coach and TelOne are on a building exercise. If it was a big team, maybe I would feel pressure, but this is an up-and-coming project.

“And it would be good to build the team to a higher level, so that younger coaches take over after that.”

Since the 0-3 loss at Myamhunga, just four days after arriving at the club, Gumbo has led his team to three wins and two draws in the league — the second best return, in the last five games, to CAPS United’s tally.

His men have not conceded a goal in their last four league matches and, the only goal they have conceded in the last five, came in a 4-1 thrashing of Yadah Stars.

If they can maintain this consistency, which has seen them take 11 out of a possible 15 points in their last five games, they can dream of surviving the chop.

Manica Diamonds and Highlanders, the two other teams that changed coaches during the course of the season, find themselves among the best performing four clubs, in the last five league matches, with the Manicaland team taking 10 out of a possible 15 points.

Bosso have taken nine out of a possible 15 and it could have been better if they had not thrown the lead against Herentals in a 1-1 draw in their last match.

However, they are just one of four clubs — the others being CAPS United, TelOne and Dynamos, who are unbeaten in their last five league games.

The Glamour Boys have turned into draw specialists, drawing four of their last five games and winning just one, and have reaped as many points (seven), within that period, as Yadah Stars who have won two, lost two and drawn one of their matches.

Chitembwe’s Harare City find themselves second from the bottom, in the mini-log for the last five games, with just one win and four losses in their matches.

Only Herentals, who have picked just two points from a possible 15, have done worse than them during that period.

Castle Lager Premiership Standings

Last Five Games

P W D L F A Pts

CAPS Utd 5 4 1 0 10 6 13

TelOne 5 3 2 0 6 1 11

Manica Diamonds 5 3 1 1 8 5 10

Highlanders 5 2 3 0 6 2 9

ZPC Kariba 5 2 2 1 5 2 8

Byo Chiefs 5 2 2 1 8 7 8

Black Rhinos 5 2 2 1 5 4 8

Dynamos 5 1 4 0 6 5 7

Chicken Inn 5 2 1 2 7 7 7

Yadah Stars 5 2 1 2 5 6 7

FC Platinum 5 1 3 1 3 2 6

Mushowani Stars 5 1 3 1 4 4 6

Ngezi Platinum 5 2 0 3 3 4 6

Chapungu 5 1 2 2 3 5 5

Triangle 5 1 0 4 10 12 3

Hwange 5 0 3 2 2 4 3

Harare City 5 1 0 4 3 6 3

Herentals 5 0 2 3 2 9 2

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By Kevin Mapasure

Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya returns to Baobab Stadium this afternoon, one year since he was inexplicably dismissed by Ngezi Platinum Stars, where he had a two-and-half-year spell.

Ndiraya had assembled one of the strongest forces at Ngezi, but with the league title having eluded him, the club’s hierarchy axed him in October last year when his team was only five points behind eventual winners FC Platinum with as much matches left for the season.

For the first time, he will be in the away dug out as he attempts to achieve what only one visiting team has managed, by winning at the Baobab.

Only Triangle have managed to beat Ngezi at home so far this season.

Even during Ndiraya’s time, coming out of the Baobab with a single point was such a daunting task, let alone winning all three points for visiting teams.

A few things have changed since he left, with a number of players joining Ngezi, while others have left, but Ndiraya will be looking to use his vast knowledge of the place and the players to land one punch at his former employers.

Before he was sent packing, he had presided over one defeat at home when they lost to FC Platinum.

This week, Ndiraya acknowledged that his team would face a tough task against Ngezi, but remains confident that they can still come away with all the points.

“We still believe that if we get maximum points in our next match, it will improve our position this season. We will go there and put up a good fight and hope to get something out of the match. I know Ngezi Platinum very well, I have been there. It is not an easy thing to go there and come out with maximum points. We have to try the best we can and do the best we can to get positive results, but it’s not going to be an easy match, of course,” he said.

Since Ndiraya left, Ngezi Platinum Stars have regressed and plunged into mid-table mediocrity, sitting just one point behind Dynamos, who are seventh on the league table.

Both teams are not where they would have wanted to be at this stage and Ndiraya will be looking to hand Ngezi their ninth defeat of the season.

DeMbare have been struggling as they are on a five-match draw streak, which they want to end this afternoon.

Their prospects have been boosted by the return of the trio that carries the creative spark in Simba Nhivi, Archford Gutu and Evans Katema.

Katema and Nhivi are both former Ngezi players and the latter left in acrimonious circumstances earlier this year.

Ngezi have already sacked another coach, Erol Akbay, whom they replaced with Rodwell Dhlakama.

Across town, second-placed Chicken Inn have a tough away trip to Harare, where they face fifth-placed Black Rhinos this afternoon, in a match the Joey Antipas-coached side cannot afford to lose if they are to boost their title hopes, with Caps United having opened a five-point gap at the top.

FC Platinum face a resurgent Yadah side at Mandava Stadium, while Highlanders take on TelOne, who have also improved under Rahman Gumbo.

Fixtures

Today: FC Platinum v Yadah (Mandava), Manica Diamonds v Kariba (Vengere), Ngezi Platinum Stars v
Dynamos (Baobab), Highlanders v TelOne (Barbourfields), Harare City v Mushowani (Rufaro), Black Rhinos v Chicken Inn (NSS).

Tomorrow: Caps United v Hwange (NSS), Bulawayo Chiefs v Triangle, Chapungu v Herentals (Ascot)

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

CAPS United . . . . . . . . .. . . (1) 3

Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1

KELVIN NDEBELE scored a contender for the Goal of the Season while the resurgent Ronald ‘’Rooney’’ Chitiyo provided a moment to remember as CAPS United went back five points clear of the chasing pack.

On a beautiful sunny day, there was a marked increase in the number of fans in the stands, most of them wearing the green-and-white colours of the hosts.

And, it’s likely, they all got fair value for making the trip to watch this Castle Lager Premiership match.

This was the Green Machine, showing, in more ways than one, that they have slipped into the mood of becoming champions this year.

There was so much to watch, so much to admire and, when you play well, the fans respond.

They have won four matches on the trot and lead FC Platinum by five points while Chicken Inn are now a distant seven points behind.

With their main rivals having played on Saturday, FC Platinum beating Yadah 3-1 and Chicken Inn being held by Black Rhinos, the challenge was thrown at the Green Machine.

And, boy oh boy, they responded well.

Highlanders also won yesterday, defeating TelOne 2-0 at Barbourfields with Brian Banda (86th minute) and Prince Dube (penalty, 88th minute) doing the damage.

Bulawayo Chiefs surprised Triangle 2-0 while Manica Diamonds inflicted more pain on the championship aspirations of ZPC Kariba with a 1-0 win at Vengere.

Herentals held Chapungu to a 1-1 draw at Ascot.

But all eyes were at the giant stadium and the Green Machine didn’t collapse under the weight of expectation.

Joel Ngodzo (penalty), Ndebele and an own goal by Hwange defender Felix Chindungwe powered them to a victory which, if they had converted their chances, could have produced a bigger winning margin. The veteran defender turned the ball into his own goal in a desperate attempt to clear the lines following some fine work from Chitiyo who twice twisted and turned his markers.

Things had looked different when Ernest Gwitima gave the visitors a fighting chance with his 42nd minute strike that ensured the two teams went to the break tied 1-1.

Makepekepe lost three players, including inspirational captain Method Mwanjali, to injuries but they found a way to win.

Mwanjali was stretchered off in the 24th minute and he was followed by Ndebele and John Zhuwawu, who had been introduced as a second half substitute.

“Pressure was mounting on them but I think they are managing very well and they are doing what they are supposed to be doing on the pitch,’’ said coach Darlington Dodo.

‘’So I give credit to the players.

“There is team spirit, there is togetherness, there is harmony and when you have those things God will always allow the situation to prevail. God is smiling on us, which is good for the team.’’

Hwange coach Nation Dube, whose side has not won in the last 12 outings, felt they conceded soft goals.

“We gifted them some goals but some of the goals I can say (they were questionable).

‘’Firstly, the penalty, I don’t think it was a penalty. It drew us back but we came back strongly and thereafter the game was punctuated by a lot of questionable decisions.

“I don’t want to say much about the other team but we played a good team. But we fought up to the final whistle.” said Dube. Ngodzo converted from the penalty spot seven minutes into the game for his 10th goal of the season after Phineas Bamusi was fouled inside the box by Munyaradzi Mungadze.

Makepekepe entertained their supporters with sleek passing game but they were jolted when Mwanjali was stretchered off the pitch injured after 24 minutes.

The veteran defender appeared in serious pain and was later taken to hospital.

But Gwitima brought Hwange level in the 26th minute with a powerfully struck grounder into the bottom corner.

Makepekepe regained the lead shortly before the breather when Ndebele’s beauty from the right flank deceived goalkeeper Taimon Mvula and found its way into the nets via the upright.

Chitiyo then beat two markers in a display of some fine skills before unleashing a powerful grounder which Chindungwe guided into the nets.

“That boy is coming back now. It’s a marvel to see him doing what he knows best and he is a thorn in the flesh, especially in the last third,’’ said Dodo.

‘’If you give him space, you will be dead.’’

Teams

CAPS Utd: T. Mateyaunga, V. Musarurwa, C. Rusere, G. Goriyati, M. Mwanjali (L. Zvasiya, 25th min), D. Mukandi, P. Bhamusi, J. Ngodzo, R. Chitiyo, K. Ndebele (J. Zhuwawu, 60th min; B, Sarupinda, 89th min), D. Chungwa.

Hwange: T. Mvula. K. Matake, W. Munorwei (K. Chimbadzwa, 46th min), M. Mungadze (G. Zulu, 79th min), F. Chindungwe, G. Ndlovu, N. Chinyerere, N. Gama (L. Vundla, 68th min), A. Banda, S. Gadzikwa, E. Gwitima

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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor

INEVITABLY, when history was made in Yokohama yesterday, with Japan becoming the first Asian nation to reach the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, the drama on the pitch needed a Zimbabwean influence.

That’s how this country continues to shape rugby, around the world, even when the Sables haven’t featured at the Rugby World Cup since 1991.

Hours after Typhoon Hagibis, the worst tropical cyclone to hit Japan in decades, tore through the Tokyo region and left a trail of death and destruction, with at least 23 people dead, Japan was celebrating a milestone achievement in its sporting history.

The country’s national rugby team, affectionately known as the Brave Blossoms, withheld a spirited second half comeback from Scotland to hold on to a 28-21 win, to become the first Asian nation to qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

And, as is becoming increasingly familiar in this game, there was a Zimbabwean touch to this historic moment that gave Japan a reason to smile in the heartbreak brought about by the devastating cyclone.

Kotaro Munyaradzi Matsushima scored one of their tries, in a first half in which their blitzkrieg, aided by some sleek movements and beautiful ball handling skills, had threatened to overwhelm the Brave Scots.

It was his fifth of the tournament and helped the hosts not only to tie the score, after they had fallen 0-7 behind, but also helped settle their nerves while boosting their confidence levels.

Before a crowd of 67 666 at the Yokohama Stadium, the first points on the board for the Japanese came when Kenki Fukuoka slipped past Chris Harris and his presence attracted the interest of Stuart Hogg but an excellent one-handed offload fell into the path of Matsushima.

His first touch was always going to be decisive, at that pace, and it was perfect, and once he had the ball in his hands, he sped away to the posts for the try with Yu Tamura’s conversion bringing the two teams level.

And, Matsushima wasn’t finished yet, finding a way past Grant Gilchrist and Blade Thomson, the interchange of the ball that followed among five Japanese players was simply beautiful and, in the end the final act of assistance was provided to Keita Inagaki to provide the finish.

So, what is all this story about Zimbabwe?

Well, Matsushima, who can play as a winger, outside centre or fullback, was born to a Zimbabwean father and a Japanese mother in Pretoria, South Africa, on February 26, 1993.

His middle name, Munyaradzi, says it all.

He became a Japanese citizen at the age of five and, at the elementary school in Japan, he even played football.

After living in Japan for some time, he returned for a year in South Africa and started playing rugby, completing his junior school in the Eastern Cape before returning to Yokohama.

Seven years ago, he returned, again to South Africa and enrolled at the Sharks Academy in Durban, whose former students include Tendai “Beast’’ Matawarira, who plays for the Springboks.

The two are now set to meet in the quarter-finals when Japan take on South Africa with the Boks well aware of the danger their opponents pose after the Asians won their last World Cup meeting in England four years ago.

With David Pocock’s Australia also through to the quarter-finals, the Zimbabwean influence at this World Cup is quite pronounced.

Those battles can wait, right now, the world is simply celebrating with the Japanese and, after the horror of the cyclone, the country needed a comforter and, in Munyaradzi, the name which means exactly that in English, they got one yesterday.

The quarter-finals

England v Australia

New Zealand v Ireland

Wales v France

Japan v South Africa

The post Munyaradzi lives up to his name, comforts Japan appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

KIRSTY COVENTRY has joined the army of those praising Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge for becoming the first human to run the marathon in less than two hours.

The Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister took to Twitter to hail the Kenyan who achieved that feat in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday.

“Talk about getting out of your comfort zone. This is how legends are made,’’ said Coventry.

“Huge congratulations to @EliudKipchoge for being the first human in history to run a sub 2 hour marathon.”

The Kenyan, 34, covered the 26.2 miles (42.2km) in one hour 59 minutes 40 seconds in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge.

It will not be recognised as the official marathon world record because it was not in open competition and he used a team of rotating pacemakers.

“This shows no-one is limited,” said Kipchoge.

“Now I’ve done it, I am expecting more people to do it after me.”

The Olympic champion — who holds the official marathon world record of 2:01:39, set in Berlin, Germany in 2018 — missed out by 25 seconds in a previous attempt at the Italian Grand Prix circuit at Monza in 2017. Knowing he was about to make history on the home straight, the pacemakers dropped back to let Kipchoge sprint over the line alone, roared on by a large crowd in the Austrian capital.

The four-time London Marathon winner embraced his wife Grace, grabbed a Kenyan flag and was mobbed by his pacemakers, including many of the world’s best middle and long-distance runners.

Kipchoge, who compared the feat to being the first man on the moon in build-up to the event, said he had made history just as Britain’s Sir Roger Bannister did in running the first sub four-minute mile in 1954.

“I’m feeling good. After Roger Bannister made history, it took me another 65 years. I’ve tried but I’ve done it,” said the Kenyan.

“This shows the positivity of sport. I want to make it a clean and interesting sport. Together when we run, we can make it a beautiful world.”

With a leading pace car beaming green lasers on to the road to indicate the required pace of 2:50 per kilometre, Kipchoge never went slower than 2:52.

To break the mark, he had to run 100m in 17.08 seconds 422 times in a row at a speed of 21.1kph (13.1 mph).

He was 10 seconds ahead of schedule at the halfway mark, before appearing to slow with a few 2:52 kilometres, only to regain the pace and kick on in the final stages.

Kipchoge was assisted by a team of 42 pacemakers, including Olympic 1500m champion Matthew Centrowitz, Olympic 5,000m silver medallist Paul Chelimo and the Ingebrigtsen brothers Jakob, Filip and Henrik.

They rotated in and out, running in formation around Kipchoge, with former 1 500m and 5 000m world champion Bernard Lagat anchoring the final leg.

“They are among the best athletes in the world — so thank you,” added Kipchoge. “I appreciate them for accepting this job. We did this one together.”

Kipchoge’s coaches delivered him water and energy gels by bike over 4.4 laps of a 5.97-mile course in the city’s Prater park, instead of having to pick refreshments up from a table as in normal competition marathons.

These aids are not allowed under the rules of the IAAF, athletics’ world governing body, which is why it will not recognise this feat as the official marathon world record. — Sports Reporter/BBC Sport.

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LONDON. — Andy Flower, who is bidding adieu to the English coaching setup after 12 years in various roles, said the T20 World Cup 2010 victory and overseas Test series wins in Australia and India were among his top moments.

When England travelled to Australia in 2010-11 for the Ashes, it had been 24 years since they had last won the the series there.

The weight of history was stacked against them, but Andrew Strauss’ team, under coach Flower, won the series convincingly, with a 3-1 margin.

As much as anything else, that achievement was a testament to Flower’s influence.

That victory paved the way for England’s rise to No.1 on the MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings.

Two years later, Flower’s team won the 2012-13 series in India — another traditionally difficult frontier for overseas teams.

England’s win in the 2010 T20 World Cup — their first in a cricket world event — had also come under Flower’s watch.

The former Zimbabwe player, who first joined the England coaching setup in 2007 as assistant to Peter Moores before taking over the lead role in 2009, picked out those wins as his greatest moments.

“The Ashes victory in 2010-11 stands out,” he says. “It’s difficult to win in Australia and to do it so comprehensively was a really proud moment in my coaching career.

It was wonderful to watch those young men take on that challenge successfully and have a great time doing it.

“The win in India in 2012-13 was a highlight too, to overcome some great players in tough, spinning conditions was a special victory. “So was the T20 World Cup win in 2010. The way we played our cricket, with such freedom and aggression, really was fun to be part of.” — ICC

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SUZUKA. — Valtteri Bottas jumped from third to first with an electric start to win the Japanese Grand Prix yesterday ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and the Finn’s Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Charles Leclerc finished sixth in the second Ferrari, and with only Bottas now able to overtake Hamilton in the standings, that means Mercedes clinched an unprecedented sixth successive drivers’-constructors’ world championship double.

“I’m happy, very happy,” said the flying Finn Bottas, who ended a six-month wait for his third victory of 2019 after winning the season-opener in Australia and the Azerbaijan race in April.

“Starting third isn’t easy. I had a really nice start, managed to get the lead and then the pace was super good, I could really control the race,” he added.

“I’m really proud to be part of the team. A sixth title is really impressive.”

“Firstly congratulations to the team,” said Hamilton, who now leads the drivers’ standings by 64 points from Bottas. “That’s the main point. I just wanted to bring home good points for the team.”

Ferrari had enjoyed a front row lock-out in a rare morning qualifying session caused by Typhoon Hagibis but their race unravelled right at the start.

Vettel twitched before the lights went out and his hesitation enabled the fast starting Bottas to leapfrog from third into the lead.

“It was my mistake,” admitted Vettel. “It was worse than a poor start, it was a really poor start. With the lack of pace today, second place today was probably the maximum.”

Results from Japan Formula One Grand Prix

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes-AMG) 307 km in 1hr 23min 21.510sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 11.376
3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes-AMG) at 11.786
4. Alexander Albon (THA/Red Bull-Honda) at 1:01.152
5. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault) at 1:09.081 — AFP.

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Veronica Gwaze in BULAWAYO

AFTER a heart-breaking 2-3 defeat to rivals University of Zimbabwe Wolves in a national league volleyball match at White City stadium yesterday, Harare City feel they now have a score to settle with their opponents.

The match stretched into the fourth set to make a decision and Harare City gaffer Itsanang Abu-Basutu felt his side played a spectacular game despite falling in the end.

“We have been preparing for the national league but, specifically, for this encounter because we knew this is always the highlight of the league or tournament in the Zimbabwe.

“We need to make sure we go back and re-do our maths because we still have to face them again at the nationals.

“Despite losing, which obviously comes as a disappointment, the boys did very well.’’

Seeking to bolster their squad Harare City had to sign on power heaters Keith Machakaire from UZ Wolves and Charles Nyamaswe from Support Unity and Terrence Chapingidza from UZ Wolves.

Chapingidza, however, was not in action due to a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, in another match, Harare City women side walloped Support Unity 3-1.

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PUNE. — India galloped to an embarrassingly one-sided victory by an innings and 137 runs after dismissing South Africa for just 189 in their follow-on innings soon after tea on the fourth day of the second Test cricket at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune yesterday.

Fast bowler Umesh Yadav claimed two of the last three wickets to finish with 3-22 and six wickets in the match while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3-52.

South Africa’s fate was effectively sealed in the morning session when they slumped to 74 for four after being asked to follow-on by Indian captain Virat Kohli.

Opener Dean Elgar dominated the run-scoring with 48 from 72 balls with eight boundaries but his counter-attacking innings came to an end with a catch at long-on off the bowling of Ravi Ashwin shortly before the break.

Aiden Markram completed a nightmare test match when he was dismissed lbw second ball — for the second time. A four-ball pair. Ishant Sharma was the successful bowler this time, Umesh Yadav, in the first innings. Theunis de Bruyn (8) was unlucky as he glanced a poor delivery from Umesh down the leg side but instead of collecting four runs he found the outstretched left glove of the diving wicketkeeper, Wriddhiman Saha.

Captain Faf du Plessis opted for the blockathon approach but perished for five from 54 balls when a thin edge against Ashwin was juggled and caught at fourth attempt by Saha.

Three further wickets fell in the afternoon session and the match was speeding to a conclusion until Vernon Philander (37) and Keshav Maharaj (22) renewed their successful liaison with a stand of 56 following the 109 they added for the ninth wicket in the first innings. — AFP.

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Sports Reporter

CORRECTIONAL Queens maintained their unbeaten run in the Rainbow Amateur Netball League over the weekend when they beat ZRP Mambas 49-39 at Morris Depot.

The defending champions seem to be on the path to retain the title.

They have won all the 24 matches they have played so far.

Correctional Queens coach Christopher Simeon said they knew what they were up against and containing Mambas’ seasoned goal shooter Pauline Jani was always going to be key.

Simeon was full of praise for his goal keeper Patience Chinhoyi.

“Saturday’s game was a tough game for us. Mambas are one of the top teams in the land and they are playing good netball nowadays.

“If you go into the corridors, they were dubbed to be the favourites but they failed to make it.

“Considering how we played against them, in the first half game without their key player Pauline, we definitely knew the inclusion of her was going to sharpen their cutting edge.

“We played very well in the first half of the game where the damage was inflicted on Mambas.

“Our goal keeper Patience Chinhoyi promised us she was going to take care of the high-flying Pauline which she did very well,” Simeon said.

The Correctional Queens coach also paid tribute to goal shooter Linda Nkorongo and wing defender Lorraine Manjoro, whose timely interceptions won them most of the balls.

With 24 wins and 10 games to go before the end of the season, Simeon said it takes off pressure on the players.

Results

ZDF Queens 107, Ruwa 15; Golden Valley 20, Falcon 80; ZRP Mambas 39, Correctional Queens 49; Rio Zim 52, Black Rhinos 41; Lusumbami 24, Glow Petroleum 75; Golden Valley 30, Black Rhinos 61; Glow Petroleum 76, Lusumbami 21.

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Lovemore Kadzura in RUSAPE

Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . (0) 1

ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

MANICA Diamonds’ revival under caretaker coach Johanisi Nhumwa continued after they registered another vital win at Vengere yesterday.

Collen Muleya, under pressure, beat his goalkeeper Future Sibanda in the 46th minute.

The defeat for ZPC Kariba complicated their title aspirations after they fell nine points behind leaders CAPS United with eight games remaining.

Both teams were too cautious with their moves in the first-half and played a very slow and boring game.

After conceding an own goal at the start of second half, ZPC Kariba upped the game’s tempo in search of an equaliser but to no avail.

In the 52nd minute, Gem Boys’ Stanely Ngala’s shot, from inside the box, was blocked for a corner by Boid Mutukure.

A Nigel Makumbe’s ferocious free kick in the 64th minute rattled the upright post with goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube well beaten.

Nhumwa said he was pleased with the way his boys responded to last week’s defeat at the hands of Tel One.

“We managed to utilise home advantage today. The boys are playing very well’’ he said.

“ZPC were piling the pressure but we managed to absorb it.’’

ZPC Kariba coach, Godfrey Tamirepi, said it was a game they could have won.

“We played well but could not win today. The match was balanced and we failed to utilise our chances, especially in second half,” said Tamirepi.

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Newly-appointed Harare Basketball Association (HBA) president David Pick has high ambitions to try and bring back the sport to its former glory and one of his promises is to return the HBA knockout trophy after a 14-year hiatus.

By Freeman Makopa

“We are bringing back the HBA Knockout trophy. This knockout trophy will involve teams from both A and B leagues and we intend to make it exciting. It was last played around 2005, but then it was stopped due to lack of sponsorship,” he said.

Pick is determined to find funds to resuscitate the once popular competition.

In fact, he says there are potential funders who are willing to partner his association.

“Right now, we have prospective sponsors and I think it’s high time we bring it (tournament) back.

It’s one of the things on my to-do list. I’m also looking forward to the decentralisation of basketball by spreading the sport to all four corners of Harare. More games will be played in Mbare, Mufakose, Dzivarasekwa, Mabvuku and Arcadia,” he said.

The former JBC, Varsity Leopards player said he is also looking forward to the unification of conflicting theories within the institution.

“The HBA is the biggest basketball playing province in Zimbabwe and I am honoured to be leading it. I have been involved in Basketball since 1995 as a player for Mbare Bulls under the late Maxwell Mangwiro.

“My biggest goal is to unify conflicting theories within Harare Basketball. Differences are good in any institution, but they have to be progressive. We all have to be united otherwise we perish. I have to be a listening president. I will be running with the theme ‘let’s make basketball great again’,” he added.

The HBA’s start to their season had a hiccup that affected the start of the first round of matches, but Pick’s executive managed to work things around and avoided what could have been a horrendous beginning to the new term.

“Week 1 has had its challenges, the biggest being games fixtured after 1600hrs. This was due to the load shedding schedule that is affecting most areas in Harare. I want to thank my executive committee for being innovative and always having that never say die attitude. We managed to buy LED flood lights. Though more work needs to be done in that area I feel that we are in the right direction.”

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
LOCAL cricket heaved a huge sigh of relief yesterday after the International Cricket Council (ICC) reinstated Zimbabwe as a full member of the global cricket family, ending its three-month banishment.

The ICC said Zimbabwe had complied with all conditions for reinstatement, which included the reversal of the decision by the Sports Commission to suspend the ZC board.

ICC chairman Shashank Manohar was particularly impressed by the commitment by Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry.

She led a delegation that also included ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, and SRC chairman Gerald Mlotshwa.

“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Sports Minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of Zimbabwe Cricket,’’ Manohar said.

“Her desire to work in support of Zimbabwe Cricket was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board.

“Funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel.’’

Zimbabwe was suspended in July following boardroom bickering which resulted in the suspension of the ZC board by the Sports Commission on the back of a number of allegations.

The ICC ruled that the SRC were in breach of their statutes regarding “government interference” and voted unanimously to suspend Zimbabwe until the decision was reversed.

Zimbabwe national teams, players and officials were barred from taking part in all ICC sanctioned events.

Funding was also stopped.

Players, officials and staff have not received salaries since June while both men and women senior national teams were kicked out of the 2020 T20 World Cup qualifiers.

However, ZC and Sports Commission have since found each other with the help of Coventry.

The SRC lifted the suspension of the ZC Board and its acting managing director Givemore Makoni on 8 August 2019.

While the decision has come a little late for the Chevrons and Lady Chevrons, who were kicked out of next year’s T20 World Cup qualifiers, Zimbabwe will now be able to take up their place in the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup in January.

The Chevrons will also take part in the ICC Super League in 2020.

“So glad to see this and, above all, relieved that this tough phase is behind us,’’ posted Chevrons all-rounder Sikandar Raza.

‘’Can’t wait to start playing cricket again. Looking forward to domestic cricket with @tuskerscricketZ. ALHAM DU LILLAH (Thank GOD).’’

Former captain, Brendan Taylor, said the decision was a huge relief to the nation.

“Thank you @ICC. There (are) a lot a relieved people in Zimbabwe. Thank you to @ZimCricketv Chairman the @ZimbabweSrc Chairman and the Honourable Sports Minister @KirstyCoventry for their combined efforts throughout this process,” posted Taylor.

The Alistair Campbell High Performance Centre also hailed the decision as “brilliant news.”

The Lady Chevrons team manager, Samu Nkiwane, was elated by the move which will see the women getting back into the international trenches.

“Obviously, we are very happy with this decision because this is what we have been making all the noise for.

‘’We wanted a positive outcome so that we continue playing cricket as Zimbabwe.

“Unfortunately, for us the women, we missed out a lot on the cancelled Ireland tour, the Netherlands tour and the T20 World Cup Qualifiers.

“We hope to come back strongly because we haven’t stopped playing despite the setbacks. Now that the suspension has been lifted, we can plan for the future with renewed hope,” said Nkiwane.

ZC chairman Mukuhlani also extended his organisation’s appreciation to Coventry and the SRC for their efforts in ensuring actions regarding the administration of cricket were made in the best interests of the game.

“We are elated to get our membership restored and this marks the beginning of a new, exciting chapter for our cricket, with ZC’s focus now fully back on ensuring our game is thriving, sustainable and financially stable.

“This would not have been possible without the steadfast support of the ICC and our colleagues from other member boards and we are very grateful to them,” Mukuhlani said.

Lessons must have been been learnt from this sad episode.

The Lady Chevrons’ were forced to cancel tours of Ireland and Netherlands after the suspension.

They were also barred from competing in the World T20 qualifier which took place in August and September and replaced by Namibia.

A group of four players and their coach Adam Chifo were denied the opportunity of joining the ICC Women’s Global Development Squad in England.

The men’s side also forfeited their place at the World T20 qualifying event which starts this Friday in the United Arab Emirates.

Nigeria have since taken their place.

They have also lost out on the opportunity for international cricket after their home series against West Indies that had been scheduled for this month was called off.

Zimbabwe were also scheduled to tour India early next year but the hosts have since replaced them with Sri Lanka.

The ICC are also set to resume funding for Zimbabwe after having withheld the funds until normalcy returned.

Zimbabwe are due US$94 million over an eight-year period.

Nepal have also been reinstated on a conditional basis following their 2016 suspension for breach of the ICC regulations which prohibit government interference and require free and fair elections.

Election of a 17-member Central Working Committee for the Cricket Association of Nepal were completed earlier this month and paved the way for the re-admittance of the CAN.

“Given the progress made in Nepal, a transition plan will now be developed for the Cricket Association of Nepal to support full compliance with Associate Membership criteria, which will also involve controlled funding,” said the ICC chairman.

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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
WHEN Naomi Osaka shocked Serena Williams to win an ill-tempered US Open tennis final in September last year, she gave Japan a new sports darling.

Her triumph came in an era of changing times in the Asian nation.

A few months later, Osaka won the Australian Open, becoming the first Asian tennis star — man or woman — to be ranked world number one in the sport.

Osaka, who turns 22 on October 16, represents the changing face of Japanese sports stars — born to a Japanese mother, Tamaki Osaka, and a Haitian father, Leonard Francois.

Washington Wizards forward, Rui Hachimura, the son of a Japanese mother, Makiko and a father from Benin, Zakari Jabil, became the first Japanese player to make the NBA draft.

Four years ago, the Japan Times, noted the changing landscape.

“This summer, a pair of young biracial Japanese athletes drew widespread attention, an indication that the nation’s sports scene has entered a new era,’’ the newspaper noted on October 4, 2015.

“Sprinter Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, a 16-year-old born to a Japanese mother and Ghanaian father, triumphed in the 100 and 200 metres at July’s IAAF World Junior Championship in Cali, Colombia.

“Simply, the number of international marriages between Japanese and foreign nationals have increased, and that’s one of the biggest reasons for the rise of the biracial athletes.

“In 1965, a total of 4 156 marriages in Japan were between Japanese and non-Japanese, according to Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare figures.

“But half a century later, the number has risen fivefold; there were a total of 21 488 marriages of which a groom or bride was non-Japanese in 2013 (2007 was the all-time high with 40 272 couples).’’

The latest such Japanese sports star is baby-faced winger, Kotaro Munyaradzi Matsushima, the 26-year-old speedster nicknamed “Ferrari”, who has been illuminating the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

His mother, Taeko Matsushima, is Japanese while his father, the late journalist Roderick Blackman Ngoro, who was found dead in February 2010 in his room at Wits University, where he was studying a PhD in media studies, was Zimbabwean.

Kotaro was born in Pretoria, acquired Japanese citizenship at the age of five, and started playing rugby at Graeme College in Grahamstown in 2006.

He was even drafted into the Sharks Academy in Durban, whose former students include Tendai “Beast’’ Mtawarira, who plays for the Springboks.

Kotaro even came close to being included in the Baby Boks squad for the 2013 Under-20 Rugby World Cup, but could not make the final team.

He moved back to Yokohoma, Japan, and featured in the 2015 Rugby World Cup for the Asian nation.

Ironically, he was not the winger many expected to be first choice for the Brave Blossoms, but an injury to Kenki Fukuoka, in a warm-up loss to the Springboks, opened a world of opportunities for Kotaro.

A hat-trick of tries in the opening match against Russia, making him the first Asian player to achieve such a feat in a Rugby World Cup match, in a man-of-the-match show, transformed him into a national hero.

“Every World Cup needs a poster boy (or poster girl!) and Kotaro Matsushima might just be that man in 2019,’’ wrote Maggie Alphonsi, of The Telegraph newspaper of the United Kingdom.

“To qualify for that role you need a few key qualities.

“The first is that in all likelihood you need to be a back-try-scoring and celebration shots certainly help a poster-boy, although as a forward myself I know that those of us in the pack were the ones who really decided whether a game was won or lost.

“The second is that you need a flash of genius or unpredictability in your play, whether it be electric pace, a wondrous sidestep or the vision of a clairvoyant.

“And the third is that it really helps if you’re playing for the host nation. Matsushima ticks all those boxes.’’

On Sunday, with a nation still grieving from the devastating effects of Typhoon Hagibis, which left a trail of death and destruction in its wake, Kotaro scored another try against Scotland as Japan won and became the first Asian nation to reach the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

The Guardian newspaper of Britain said Kotaro and some of his teammates were challenging old ideas of what it means to be Japanese.

And, Stephen Wade, of the Associated Press, concurred in his report that Japan’s rugby team was showing the changing face of the Asian nation.

“Like tennis star Naomi Osaka, Japan’s rugby team offers a diverse and slightly different look for an insular, but changing country,’’ wrote Wade.

“Of the 23 players who earned Japan’s historic first appearance in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, only 11 were born to Japanese parents.

“The rest were a mix of nationalities with various ties to Japan, who held out Scotland 28-21 in a thrilling match before a partisan crowd of 68 000 at Yokohama Stadium.

“Fans held up signs that read ‘We Are One Team’ to celebrate the milestone victory, and the rest of Japan is becoming convinced.

“Several players are eligible for Japan because of rugby’s three-year residency rule, captain Michael Leitch was born in New Zealand with Fijian heritage, but came to Japan to study when he was 15 and speaks Japanese better than English.

“Winger Kotaro Matsushima was born in South Africa to a Japanese mother and a Zimbabwean father.

“And Jamie Joseph — a former New Zealand forward — switched to play for Japan in 1999 and now coaches the Brave Blossoms.’’

You can always bet, in such scenarios, there will be a Zimbabwean factor.

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
METHOD MWANJALI’S season suffered a premature ending on Sunday when the defender picked an ugly ankle knock.

He has been CAPS United’s most influential player this season, with his leadership qualities helping the team in their quest for the league championship.

The club’s medical team yesterday said the former Warriors skipper is set for an operation at a local hospital this morning.

Mwanjali, who has been admitted at Michael Gelfand Clinic since Sunday, is out for the rest of the season.

X-rays confirmed he suffered bone fractures on his ankle and he will need, at least, three months to recover fully.

Club doctor, Dennis Chabwera, yesterday said a team of specialists recommended that the veteran defender undergoes surgery.

“Method suffered a complex ankle fracture, he is admitted at a local hospital. He is due for an operation tomorrow morning (today).

“It’s quite a bad injury, it takes about 12 weeks to heal, including rehabilitation.

“Of course, there are cases where people heal ahead of schedule but to be honest, for this season, I don’t think he will make it.

“As it stands, we are working with the 12 weeks, which is three months,” said Chabwera.

The 36-year old defender was injured in a tussle with a Hwange player after 24 minutes at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Makepekepe won the match 3-1 and cement their place at the top of the table.

The Green Machine have a five-point lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premiership table with just eight games remaining.

Fidelity Life Assurance will chip in to cover all the medical expenses as part of the $1 million sponsorship deal signed with the Premier Soccer League clubs at the beginning of the season. The deal caters for the medical welfare of players and technical officials.

Team manager, Shakespeare Chinogwenya, said Mwanjali’s injury came at the wrong time of the season.

“It’s a pity the Hwange player landed on top of his twisted ankle when he made that tackle,’’ said Chinogwenya.

“He is in pain but it’s something that the doctors are working on.

“He is set for an operation tomorrow (today) and will probably be out for three months thereafter.

“It’s sad it happened when we would rather have wanted everyone to participate.

“As you know, his experience and leadership qualities on the pitch are top-notch. But we trust in the team we have to pull through to the finishing line even in his absence.’’

Coach Darlington Dodo was forced to make three injury-induced substitutions on Sunday.

Youthful forward Kelvin Ndebele, who scored a contender for the goal of the season, limped off for the second week running after he suffered the same fate at Mushowani, where he also scored a beauty. John Zhuwawu, who was introduced as a second half substitute, lasted barely 30 minutes before he was helped off the pitch with a shoulder injury.

“John injured his right collar bone. Thankfully, there is no fracture so he should be back inside two weeks if it all goes well but, for Kelvin, it’s nothing serious.

“It was just a cramp,” said Chabwera.

Makepekepe have amassed 50 points from 26 games while FC Platinum have 45.

The other championship contenders Chicken Inn fell seven points off the pace after they were held to a goalless draw by Black Rhinos.

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Sports Reporter
ROWING Association of Zimbabwe vice president Sally Soper says they are pleased one of their athletes has secured a spot in the men’s singles at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Peter Purcell-Gilpin shone at the just-ended African Olympic Qualification Regatta in Tunisia.

Zimbabwe had Purcell-Gilpin competing in the men’s single sculls where he won silver, ensuring the country will have a boat at next year’s Olympics.

Lieben Dickens finished third in the women’s single sculls to pick bronze.

The athletes have been working under the guidance of coach Felix Dieu and they both attended a five-day training camp run by the World Rowing Federation prior to the Regatta.

The Zimbabwe Olympic also supported the athletes for the event held from October 9 to 12.

Soper said they were excited by the athletes’ achievements in Tunisia and the qualification to the Olympics in the men’s single event.

“The Rowing Association of Zimbabwe is very excited with the performances of Peter Purcell-Gilpin, who won the silver medal in the men’s single event, and Lieben Dickens, who won the bronze medal in the women’s single event at the recent African Olympic Qualification Regatta,’’ Soper said.

“The athletes have trained hard under the guidance of coach Felix Dieu and competed around the world in order to get the racing experience needed for this level of competition.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the sport of rowing in Zimbabwe. It is a sport RAZ would like to see grow and we encourage more and more schools to get involved.”

Qualification for next year’s Games began in August at the World Championships and athletes who failed to qualify their countries were given a second chance to compete at the just-ended continental qualifiers.

According to FISA rules, if two boats from a National Olympic Committee meet the qualification criteria at Continental Qualification Regatta, then it’s the highest-ranking boat that qualifies.

“The rules set out by FISA stipulate that should a nation not qualify at the World Championships then only one, which is the highest-ranking boat, from a nation can qualify at a Continental Regatta.

“This is the reason why Lieben Dickens was, unfortunately, not awarded a position for Zimbabwe in the women’s single event at this stage in the qualifying regattas,” added Soper. Zimbabwe have been represented in rowing in the last three editions of the Olympics and they are guaranteed of representation next year.

“It takes several years of dedication, sacrifice and hard training to achieve the level of rowing needed for the world stage and this starts with supporting athletes at club/school level.

“The Rowing Association of Zimbabwe strives to expose its athletes to as many competitions as possible at local, regional and international levels as we believe this is the investment required to achieve consistent results at world events.

“Sponsorship is, therefore, crucial in maintaining and improving rowing standards in Zimbabwe,” Soper said.

Purcell-Gilpin is now competing in the African Rowing Championships running until tomorrow in Tunisia.

And Soper said they are confident of another medal for Zimbabwe.

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Collin Matiza Sports Editor
ONE of the country’s top junior motocross riders Emmanuel Bako has stepped up preparations for this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series.

He has set up a training camp in South Africa where he has engaged the services of one of that country’s top trainers Tyron Juul.

The Zimbabwe Summer Series is a three-day annual motorcycling event which is held during the second week of December, and it marks the end of the motocross season in this country.

This year’s event will once again comprise of two Supercross (night racing) events on the nights of December 11 and 13, and a full day of motocross action on December 15 and will be staged at the home of local motosport — Donnybrook Park — in Harare.

The Zimbabwe Summer Series usually attracts international riders from South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and a few individuals from Europe who are joined on the track by most of the country’s top junior and senior bikers, including 13-year-old Bako.

Bako’s father and manager, Brighton, told The Herald yesterday that his son is already preparing for the 2019 Zimbabwe Summer Series and is currently on a strenuous training programme in Johannesburg.

Juul has been into motocross coaching since 2012 and more than 200 amateur and professional riders have passed through his hands since he established his training school where he “grills” his proteges at Terra Topia and Dirt Bronco tracks outside Johannesburg.

“Emmanuel has just finished writing his Grade Seven exams and is now on a special training programme which has been designed by his trainer Tyron Juul as he prepares for the Zimbabwe Summer Series and the final round of the 2019 South African National Championship series which is scheduled for October 29 at Terra Topia,” Brighton said.

On Sunday, Emmanuel took part in Round 8 of the 2019 Mayfair Gauteng Series, which is a big regional event in South Africa, and the 13-year-old Zimbabwean once again made his presence felt at this one-day race meeting at Terra Topia where he came out tops in the 85cc (Junior) Class.

Emmanuel claimed the top step on the podium ahead of two of South Africa’s top junior riders Deegan Bloomfield and Jordan van Wyk. There were 14 riders in this class.

“Emmanuel did extremely well in this race meeting considering that he was coming from a shoulder injury which sidelined him for nearly a month.

“On Sunday, he was just hungry for victory and this saw him getting both hole shots and never looked as he swept to victory,” Brighton said.

Emmanuel will settle for third place in the final standings of the 2019 Mayfair Gauteng Motocross Championship.

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Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S participation at the Africa Netball Championships, which get underway this Friday in Cape Town, hangs in the balance.

The national association are still to finalise logistics regarding the team’s preparations and travel arrangements.

The tournament runs until October 22 with eight countries, grouped into two pools, taking part. Zimbabwe were drawn against Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in Pool B.

Pool A features hosts South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Lesotho.

But the Zimbabwe Netball Association secretary-general, Barbara Rice, yesterday said they were not certain on the team’s preparations and travel arrangements as they were still working on the logistics.

“I will come back to you tomorrow morning (today) because we are still working on logistics,” said Rice.

It would be a sad development if the Gems, who punched above their weight to finish eighth at the Vitality Netball World Cup on their maiden appearance, miss the continental tournament.

Coach Lloyd Makunde has said he is targeting a podium finish at the event and believes they stand a good chance of making it beyond the group stages.

“On paper, the draw is the best that we could have wanted. Personally, I am very happy with the draw, so it actually increases our chances of a podium finish,” said Makunde.

However, the Gems coach is not underrating any team.

“Kenya is a very strong side and they have good funding, we beat them during the qualifiers and we won by only 10 goals.

“They have got very tall players, with an average height of 1.7m, and then we have Tanzania, who are unknown but, coming to the African Championships, means they are geared up for winning the tournament.

“So, it’s not that easy.

“Tanzania used to play and they were one of the best teams in Africa so, I believe, they have picked from where they left,” said Makunde.

Makunde said they would have preferred an early camp for the team.

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