Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Darlington Dodo believes his charges have a strong mentality to come out triumphant in the run-in to the championship. The Green Machine’s character has come under scrutiny after they blew a golden opportunity to stretch their lead at the summit of the Castle Lager Premiership standings on Sunday.

Makepekepe would have opened a five-point gap at the top had they managed to beat relegation candidates TelOne at Ascot.
Bulawayo Chiefs had done them a favour after beating second-placed FC Platinum a day earlier. But it was the Gweru club who posted a 2-0 win over a side who are seeking their second league crown in four years.

Dodo’s troops have failed to win in three matches and he is blaming some casual approach from some of his players.
“We are working on correcting the mental side of the boys. I think we are mentally very strong to sustain the run-in but we need to correct some mistakes which we have made in the past three games,” said Dodo.

“If one looks at it very closely, you will realise that it’s all about the mental side of it.
“We have been losing concentration in crucial areas at the wrong moments.

“We haven’t been really compact. We can do better than we have done. Of course, TelOne are a difficult team to beat but we are leading the standings and we have to prove that we are not at the summit by mistake.”

Dodo said his steam needed to retain maximum concentration to stand a chance to win the title.
“We are headed for the crucial phase of the marathon. We have some big and tough fixtures,’’ he said.
“It is the most difficult stretch of the road, bumpy and awkward.

“It is the time that mental strength comes into full play. We, obviously, can’t be learning a lot more things when the season is at this stage.

“We are always working hard to try and perfect several aspects of the game. But, at the moment, we should be concentrating more on the mental side of things.”

The Green Machine have amassed 51 points, two above second-placed FC Platinum with five games still to be played before the curtain comes down on the season.

Chicken Inn and ZPC Kariba are still within touching distance of Dodo’s side but the former Gunners gaffer says he will be concentrating on winning his games than looking at how other teams will be performing.

CAPS United next face ZPC Kariba at home before making the short cross-town trip to play unpredictable Yadah.
They will then host perennial foes Dynamos before travelling to Mhondoro for a date against Ngezi Platinum.

The Green Machine conclude the season with a humdinger against FC Platinum at home.
Top 3 last five games
CAPS United: ZPC Kariba (H), Yadah (A), Dynamos (H), Ngezi (A), FC Platinum (H)
FC Platinum: Manica Diamonds (A), Highlanders (H), Chapungu (A), Black Rhinos (H), CAPS United (A)
Chicken Inn: Mushowani (A), Hwange (H), Bulawayo Chiefs (A), Herentals (A), TelOne (H), Triangle (outstanding fixture H)

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JOHANNESBURG. — Chippa United might have been on the losing side against champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday but new Zimbabwean coach Norman Mapeza was looking on the bright side after their elimination from the Telkom Knock-out.

“Well done to my boys, nobody gave us a chance, but for us to take Sundowns to extra-time was good. It gives us hope going forward,” Mapeza said after the 2-2 draw at the Nelson Mandela bay stadium.

Sundowns won 4-2 on post-match penalties and now meet Lamontville Golden arrows in the semi-finals.
“There were plenty of positives. The way we moved the ball around, the way we defended and attacked. I think if we had managed to finish the chances we got in the first half, we would have wrapped up the game,” said the ex- Zimbabwe international

“Our squad is a little bit thin in terms of quality, but I think our guys applied themselves very well.
“I am not frustrated, it would not be nice of me to get frustrated after such a performance. The first goal was a penalty, the second one . . . everybody saw what happened.”

It was a mistake by veteran goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb who spilled a routine cross to the feet of Gaston Sirino to equalise. Chippa now turn their focus to their Absa Premiership clash at home to Kaizer Chiefs tomorrow. — Spersport.com

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BERLIN. — Bayern Munich on Sunday sacked coach Niko Kovac, a day after the German football champions suffered a historic 5-1 loss against Eintracht Frankfurt — their worst Bundesliga defeat in a decade.

“FC Bayern Munich have relieved head coach Niko Kovac of his duties,” the club said in a statement.
The “mutual decision” was taken following talks with club president Uli Hoeness, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and Kovac himself.

“The performances of our team in recent weeks and the results have shown us that there was a need for action,” said Rummenigge.

“We all regret this development. I would like to thank Niko Kovac on behalf of FC Bayern for his work, particularly for last season’s double win.”

Assistant coach Hansi Flick will take charge of the team “until further notice”, the statement added.
The 48-year-old former Croatia international said it was the right move for the side who sit in fourth place in the table after a series of disappointing matches.

“I think this is the correct decision for the club at this time,” Kovac said.
“I would like to thank FC Bayern for these past 18 months. During that time our team won the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup and the Supercup. It was a good time. I wish the club and the team all the very best.”
Bayern will play a Champions League match against Olympiakos on Wednesday before facing their biggest rivals Borussia Dortmund in the German top-flight on Saturday.

Saturday’s hammering by Eintracht was the club’s worst league defeat since a humiliating drubbing at Wolfsburg by the same scoreline in April 2009.

A 10-man Bayern was shredded by Eintracht after defender Jerome Boateng was sent off in the ninth minute, and leaving Kovac’s future at the club hanging in the balance.

“I know how this business works — I am not naive,” Kovac told reporters after the match.
Bayern have won only five of their last 10 Bundesliga matches, leaving them with 18 points — four points behind leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Even their few victories have been lacklustre, with few goals to brag about and a shaky defence that has struggled to gain momentum. — AFP.

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AUSTIN. — Lewis Hamilton clinched his sixth world Formula One title, but not in the style he hoped for on Sunday when he finished second behind his triumphant Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in an eventful United States Grand Prix.

The 34-year-old Briton fought with ferocious determination to win from fifth on the grid, but was unable to resist the Finn, who started from pole and, with a two-stop strategy, had fresher tyres in the critical final laps. After leading twice, Hamilton was passed by Bottas with three laps remaining and then resisted Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to take his 150th podium finish and his 31st successive finish in the points.

It sealed his sixth title, leaving him one adrift of Michael Schumacher on seven.
Hamilton added the 2019 title to previous triumphs in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.
“I can’t believe it, thanks a lot,” Hamilton said over the team radio as he moved out of a tie for five titles he held with Argentina’s Juan-Manuel Fangio.

He added: “It’s just overwhelming if I’m really honest. It was such a tough race today, Valtteri did a great job. As an athlete I feel as fresh as can be. We’ll keep pushing for the rest of the season.”

“I didn’t know if it would be possible but I worked as hard as I could here with my team back at the factory. My mum, dad, step-mum and step-dad and my family are here and it’s an honour to be here with six titles with those greats.
“My dad told me when I was like six or seven never to give up and that’s kind of the family motto.”

It was Bottas’s fourth win of the season and the seventh of his career.
“It’s a good win,” said the Finn. “Personally, I failed on my target this year, but Lewis deserves it. He’s had a good season.”
Hamilton parked his Mercedes in a space “reserved for the champion” before leaping into the arms of his family and friends.

Verstappen finished third ahead of Charles Leclerc of Ferrari — some compensation to team boss Mattia Binotto on his 50th birthday following the early retirement, with broken suspension, of Sebastian Vettel — with Alex Albon fifth in the second Red Bull. — AFP.

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER clearing the biggest hurdles in beating Dynamos and FC Platinum in style, Highlanders have gained enough confidence to declare their interests in winning this year’s Chibuku Super Cup.

The Bulawayo giants were drawn to face unpredictable ZPC Kariba at a venue to be advised by the Premier Soccer League.
The other semi-final will feature Ngezi Platinum against the winners of the rescheduled quarter-final match between Harare City and holders Triangle which has been set for Rufaro tomorrow.

But for Bosso, who have long fallen out in the race for this year’s Castle Lager Premiership, the Chibuku Super Cup is their remaining hope for silverware this season.

The club’s vice-chairman Modern Ngwenya yesterday said Bosso were aiming to go all the way after recovering from a poor start this year.

They are yearning to turn back the hands of time following the arrival of Dutch coach Pieter Hendrik de Jongh.
“For us, winning the Chibuku Super Cup is feasible. We are a bit way off when it comes to the championship because we are trailing the leaders by quite a number of points,’’ said Ngwenya.

“But when it comes to Chibuku, it’s within our control. So, right now, we cannot worry about the league championship which is beyond our control.

“Our team is a marvel to watch these days and the objective is not only to win games but to play scintillating football and our boys are up to scratch with that.

“Highlanders is a very big institution and every game is a cup final. We don’t expect to lose or draw.
“Our supporters come to the stadium, especially Barbourfields, to see the team winning.
“Each time we lose it’s a heartbreak.’’

ZPC Kariba have been experiencing a good run of form.
“We don’t underestimate any team because all teams are strong. There are no minnows these days, we are playing ZPC Kariba we respect them,” said Ngwenya.

Bosso yesterday confirmed they have reinstated Ngwenya and secretary-general Israel Moyo who had been suspended earlier this year for terminating CEO Nhlanhla Dube contract without following procedure.
Dube has since bounced back after renewing the contract.

The club’s board chairman Luke Mnkandla said the two were cleared at the end of the meticulous internal judicial processes.

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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN professional golfer Visitor Mapwanya was crowned the 2019 B and E champion after an eleven-under-par-277 total at the Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate in Lagos, Nigeria, at the weekend.

This was the 28-year-old Renco Mine-bred player’s second title on the West African Tour after having won it in 2017.
And, at the weekend, Mapwanya pumped his fist into the air as his ball dropped down the centre of the cup, extending his lead over Ghana’s Emos Korblah to five shots.

Mapwanya overcame a rocky final round start to power to victory.
This came just weeks after playing second fiddle to Ghana’s Vincent Torgah at the First October Championships at the Port Harcourt Golf Club in Rivers State in Nigeria.

Mapwanya has finished inside the top five in each of his last three starts at Lakowe in Lagos, Nigeria, including consecutive top-10s in the last two seasons.

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BY FORTUNE MBELE

FOOTBALL fans in Bulawayo and its environs have once against been robbed of a high-profile Warriors match as the Zimbabwe senior men’s national team’s Group H 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Botswana on November 15 has been moved from Barbourfields to the National Sports Stadium in Harare amid concerns of poor lighting.

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The match had been scheduled to be played under floodlights at BF before Joey Antipas’ men take on Zambia four days later at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela yesterday said the Confederation of African Football (Caf) had moved the match from Bulawayo due to uncertainty over lighting at the venue.

The Bulawayo City Council could not give guarantees over the functionality of the stadium lighting, and Caf could not take chances.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association wishes to advise the public and all stakeholders that the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Zimbabwe and Botswana, initially scheduled for Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on November 15, has been moved to the National Sports Stadium in Harare,” Gwesela said.

“The decision to move the match follows communication from the Bulawayo City Council on the issue of floodlights at Barbourfields Stadium where they could not guarantee their good working order as they were last put to use in 2017 during the Cosafa Women’s Championship.

“In the absence of such a guarantee and in pursuit of conformance with their minimum requirements, Caf has switched the match to the National Sports Stadium to avoid the potential of floodlight failure during the match — a situation that could trigger security risk to the fans, players and officials.”

Gwesela claimed that they had made a request to have the match played at BF at 3pm, and the idea was shot down by the continental body.

“Zifa had pleaded with the continental mother body to move the match to 1500hrs on the same day, but Caf could not grant the request as all qualifiers, across Africa, will be played at 1800hrs,” the Zifa spokesperson said.

“The Zifa executive committee commits to host the next international match, which is to be played during daylight, at Barbourfields Stadium and that we remain committed to a rotational system that will allow all fans an opportunity to support their team in flesh and blood.”

The cheapest ticket for the match at the National Sports Stadium will be $20 for the rest of the ground, $50 for Bays 15-18 and $120 for the VIP.

In September, the preliminary round second leg 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Somalia, which had also been slated for BF, was moved to Harare as the Under-23 Young Warriors were hosting South Africa in an Afcon qualifier on September 10 at the same venue.

A change of dates for the Warriors-Somalia match caused a clash and the senior team had to switch to the National Sports Stadium.

The Warriors last played at BF in December 2013 in a friendly match against Mozambique as the team prepared for the 2014 African Nations Championship finals that were hosted by South Africa.

In 2000, Barbourfields Stadium hosted the Sunday Chidzambga-coached Warriors when they beat Lesotho 3-0 in the Cosafa Cup final second leg match.

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BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

WARRIORS coach Joey Antipas believes Botswana are tough opponents who can throw spanners in the works for his team’s bid to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.
The Warriors are in Group H, which also has the reigning African champions Algeria, neighbours Botswana and Zambia.

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Zimbabwe host Botswana in the opening match of the campaign at the National Sports Stadium on November 15, before travelling to Zambia four days later seeking a fast start to their
campaign.

Botswana recently played a friendly match against heavyweights Egypt, whom they restricted to just a single goal in Cairo, a clear demonstration they will pose real threat in the qualifiers.

Botswana’s game has been evolving in recent years after they made their first appearance at the 2012 African Cup of Nations finals.Antipas is not taking them lightly and wants thorough preparations.

“Botswana are tough opponents. We have played them on a number of occasions, although we won most of the encounters, they remain a real threat and we have to prepare thoroughly for the match,” he said.

The Warriors gaffer is also worried by the lack of an international friendly ahead of the start of the qualifiers.Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) failed to secure an international friendly match for the Warriors during the Fifa calendar for international matches last month.

Antipas said they would have wanted to, at least, play one international friendly match before they kick-start the campaign.“Ideally, we would have wanted a situation where we play at least a friendly match before the start of the campaign. That was, however, not possible as Zifa failed to arrange the friendly during the Fifa break, so we have to make do with what is there. We just have to be focused and remain confident of producing good results,” he said.

The Warriors coach is expecting Europe-based players, Macauley Bonne of Charlton Athletic and Adam Chicksen of Bolton Wanderers, to have secured passports by the time they face Botswana.

The duo, born in England to Zimbabwean parents, did not have Zimbabwean passports and were not eligible to play for the Warriors.They have since secured birth certificates, paving the way for them to secure passports.

Zimbabwe are desperate to make it to the Cameroon finals to try and make up for their disappointing show in the last finals played in Egypt earlier this year.

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JOHANNESBURG. — Makazole Mapimpi and Tendai ‘’Beast’’ Mtawarira are among the four Springboks to be added to the Barbarians squad for their November internationals. The pair is joined by Bok teammates Lukhanyo Am and Herschel Jantjies in the squad that will take on Fiji, Brazil and Wales as part of the invitational side’s tour.

Jantjies, Am and Mapimpi will all be making their first appearances for the Barbarians, but Mtawarira is set for his third show in the black-and-white jersey.

The four are the latest names to be added to the squad, which already includes Rory Best, who will retire from Test rugby after the tour, and France centre Mathieu Bastareaud.

Former Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn is also in the squad and will link up with Mtawarira, with the duo having last played a Barbarians match together in 2009.

The team will be coached by Eddie Jones for their opening fixture against Fiji at Twickenham on 16 November.

Jones’ England side lost to the Springboks in the World Cup final last weekend.

The Barbarians will then face Brazil in Sao Paulo on 20 November and then take on World Cup semi-finalists Wales in Cardiff on 30 November.

Meanwhile, the Springbok class of 2019 — the champions of the world — will be remembered forever.

Makazole Mapimpi crossing the line after that no-look pass from Lukhanyo Am, Cheslin Kolbe side-stepping his way over to put the game to bed and Siyamthanda Kolisi becoming the first black Springbok captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup are all captured moments that will become as iconic as Joel Stransky’s winning drop goal in 1995. The stars aligned for the Boks and in the hours leading up to kick-off on Saturday, there was a feeling that something special was about to unfold.

Now, less than two years after an Allister Coetzee era that was plagued by a series of embarrassing losses, the Boks sit on top of the world once more. There was not one poor individual performance on Saturday, with all 23 Boks elevating their levels when it mattered most.

England, from beginning to end, were outplayed thanks to the most clinical of displays from their superior opposition. The players, rightly so, leave as legends.

The captain of the ship, however, and the man who orchestrated this simply stunning Bok revival is Johan ‘Rassie’ Erasmus.

Has there ever been a more impactful Springbok coach?

Erasmus was handed a broken team and a World Cup draw that saw the Boks pooled alongside the All Blacks because of how far they had fallen under Coetzee.

Yet, never once did Erasmus bite at an opportunity to take a stab at Coetzee or the work that he had done. From the very beginning, Erasmus was positive about the game in this country and how it was going to recover. Anybody who has worked closely to Erasmus will tell you that, tactically, he is brilliant.

He understands the game’s modern trends, but he is also battle-hardened enough to know that sometimes what it takes to win a rugby match is rolled-up sleeves and good old-fashioned hard work.

Erasmus knew quickly that if the Boks were going to challenge for a World Cup title, they would have to revert to their traditional powers and that is what they did.

There is always a want for running rugby from the public, and while Erasmus’ Boks provided that in doses over 2018 and 2019, they relied heavily on forward strength at set piece, an overall physicality and accurate kicking to get the job done in Japan.

In the final, however, Erasmus sprung a surprise that some have described as a tactical masterclass.

The Boks were expected to kick and chase all game, but they were happy to move the ball through the hands and got rewarded for that throughout.

The Boks are now World Cup champions, Rugby Championship champions, ranked No 1 in the world and they snapped up the Team of the Year prize at the World Rugby awards on Sunday too.

Erasmus, naturally, went home with Coach of the Year.

His comprehensive understanding of the game and tactical nous aside, it is Erasmus’ man-management and his conduct off the field that have stood out. He has always been open about his policies on transformation and the need for this Bok side to be representative of the county.

He embraced that, and everybody involved in the Bok set-up was on the same page.

The end result was a starting XV on Saturday that included five black Africans and seven total players of colour and, most importantly, there can be no conversations around players being picked because of the colour of the skin.

Every single member of this Bok squad was chosen on merit. They have proved as much by winning the World Cup, and that process was facilitated by Erasmus and his willingness to give players opportunities.

Erasmus acknowledged at the World Cup that he was naive when he made Kolisi Bok captain back in 2018. He did not know the significance of the decision at the time – a bold revelation from a head coach.

It was, however, absolutely the correct call.

Kolisi doesn’t command the respect of his peers, but he has earned it.

The private conversations of him being a ‘quota captain’ took place in some dark corners of the country … make no mistake about that.

In Erasmus, though, Kolisi had a man who backed him for all of the right reasons and absolutely none of them had anything to do with race.

Together, Kolisi and Erasmus have provided a glimpse of what this country can be.— www.sport24.co.za/SARugbyMagazine.

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
CAF’S decision to turn down a request by ZIFA for the Warriors’ 2021 AFCON qualifier against Botswana to be played in the afternoon is likely to lump more costs on the cash-strapped association. The match, which was initially scheduled for Barbourfields in Bulawayo, has now been moved to Harare’s National Sports Stadium. ZIFA revealed yesterday they appealed to CAF to have the match played in the afternoon at Barbourfields after authorities in the City of Kings raised a red flag over the state of the floodlights at the stadium.

The Bulawayo City Council said the floodlights were last used a long time ago and there were no guarantees they would work to expectations during such a huge match.

ZIFA were then forced to move the match to the National Sports Stadium next Friday.

But, even that, comes with a huge cost with the budget for the two AFCON qualifiers against Botswana and Zambia this month now set to go beyond the proposed US$200 000 financial outlay. Electricity tariffs were recently hiked by 320 percent.

“Obviously, floodlights are a bit expensive,’’ ZIFA acting vice-president, Phil Machana, told The Herald. They usually do come at a cost because they consume more energy than normal lighting.

“So they, (ZESA), will let us know of the cost; whether we are going to have a flat figure or we pay for what we use. Remember, we have all stakeholders’ meetings where we share notes and lobby together when planning for such events.

“The meetings will start probably this Friday with the likes of the Sports Commission, Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Local Government, ZRP, ambulance services, the ticketing company and many other service providers. There is a big chance ZESA will be part of the meetings since we are going to invite them.

“All along we were saying the match was at Barbourfields until CAF turned us down because we couldn’t get guarantees from the Bulawayo City Council on the working condition of the floodlights.’’

ZIFA will also need to get guarantees from ZESA officials that power will be guaranteed at the giant stadium.

The country has been experiencing severe power shortages and ZESA have embarked on Stage Two of load shedding, resulting in most of the areas in the country going for up to 18 hours without electricity.

This followed technical challenges at Hwange over the weekend.

“We are aware of the electricity challenges facing the country but, as we usually do, the (ZIFA) office and the owners of the stadium, who are the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, will write to ZESA so that we have electricity dedicated to the venue on the day of the game,’’ said Machana.

“This is a routine thing we also do even for the afternoon games since we need to operate the PA system and other office work.

“But, this is a night game and we need the electricity more.’’

CAF have insisted the game should be played in the evening, kick-off 6pm, in sync with the rest of the AFCON qualifiers on the continent.

The continental football governing body apparently do not want to take chances since they have a small window to squeeze in the opening two matches of the 2021 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Zimbabwe are scheduled to play Zambia (away) four days later while Botswana host Algeria in Group H.

ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, said they could not take the risk of staging next Friday’s match against Botswana at Barbourfields after failing to get guarantees from the Bulawayo City Council.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) wishes to advise the public and all stakeholders that the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Zimbabwe and Botswana, initially scheduled for Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on November 15, has been moved to the National Sports Stadium in Harare,” said Gwesela.

“The decision to move the match follows communication from the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) on the issue of floodlights at Barbourfields Stadium where they could not guarantee their good working order as they were last put to use in 2017 during the COSAFA Women’s Championship.

“In the absence of such a guarantee and, in pursuit of conformance with their minimum requirements, CAF has switched the match to the National Sports Stadium to avoid potential of floodlight failure during the match — a situation that could trigger security risk to the fans, players and officials.”

ZIFA had wanted to take the game to Bulawayo in their efforts to rotate the national team games.

“ZIFA had pleaded with the continental mother-body to move the match to 1500hrs on the same day, but CAF could not grant the request as all qualifiers, across Africa, will be played at 1800hrs.

“We wish to unreservedly apologise to all football lovers and stakeholders in Bulawayo and surrounding areas for the inconvenience caused.

“The ZIFA Executive Committee commits to host the next international match which is to be played during day light at Barbourfields Stadium and that we remain committed to a rotation system that will allow all fans an opportunity to support their team in flesh and blood,” said Gwesela.

ZIFA have maintained the gate charges at $20 for the rest of the ground, $50 for bays 15-18 and $120 for the most expensive VIP tickets.

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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
CHEETAHS star, Hilton Mudariki, has challenged his teammates to guard against complacency if they are to make it to the podium in the Africa Cup this weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 14-team two-day Sevens rugby tournament kicks-off on Friday and the winners will also pick a ticket to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, next year.

Already swimming in the glory of the Sables’ success in the Victoria Cup, where he was the skipper a month ago, Mudariki says retaining the trophy they won last year will be a dream come true.

He predicted a tough ride in the competition which also has powerhouses Kenya, Madagascar and Namibia participating.
“I am really excited about the opportunity to be involved in the Olympic qualifiers. Obviously, it is going to be a very tough competition,’’ said Mudariki. “There are a lot of good teams at the tournament but we have to come out guns blazing and win the tournament at all costs. “We have a huge pool of good players who are technically sound. Sevens rugby is tough but we need to be cautious at the back and see how we fare.

“We are coming into this tournament fully aware of the stakes which are there. This is not just another Sevens tournament.
“We have to retain the trophy we won last year and that will propel us to the Olympics in 2020. That is every Zimbabwean wish. We are the players and we go into the contest knowing that we are carrying the people’s hopes.”

Mudariki bemoaned shoddy preparations but says the Cheetahs were mentally strong enough to handle the situation.
“The preparations haven’t been up to scratch but then we can’t be crying babies,’’ he said.

“We need to be in this tournament to prove our worth. We are, obviously, the team to beat by virtue of being the defending champions.

“That knowledge may put us under some bit of pressure but I think we have experience in our ranks. “We have outgrown that stage where we stick much into what the opponent will be thinking about us.”

Zimbabwe start their campaign with a relatively easy date against Sevens lightweights Nigeria at Bosman Stadium on Friday.
Uganda, Senegal, Morocco, Botswana, Mauritius, Ghana, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire are some of the teams expected to present a big challenge to Zimbabwe’s quest to defend their title.

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LONDON. — Former England captain Andrew Strauss believes Zimbabwean Andy Flower still has a huge amount to offer English cricket. Strauss was the skipper and Flower the coach when they led England to being the No. 1 Test side in the world in 2010/11, a year which also saw them winning the Ashes in Australia.

However, Flower’s 12-year association with English cricket, where also worked with the England Lions, was ended last month by the ECB, much to the dismay of Strauss.

Strauss told the PA news agency: “Andy was by far the best coach I ever worked with, a great man and had incredible success with the England cricket team.

“We certainly haven’t seen the end of Andy Flower yet. I would not be at all surprised if we saw him in a high-profile coaching role again.

“Maybe not with the ECB, but in the English game somewhere. I sincerely hope he stays involved in English cricket, rather than going abroad somewhere.”

Strauss, who previously held the role of ECB director of cricket, recently accepted a role as chair of the ECB cricket committee.
It will run alongside his work for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which was set up in memory of his late wife to fund research into rare forms of lung cancer and to support patients and families affected by the disease.

“It’s me dipping my toe back into the game of cricket,” he explained.
“The ECB cricket committee has a very broad reach overseeing professional cricket in the country, but also women’s cricket and disability cricket and the pathway to the top.

“It keeps me engaged and cricket is in my blood so I want to be involved in some way, but it’s about juggling it with the foundation.

“Even more importantly it’s juggling it with my boys and making sure I am around to do what they need me to do.” — AFP.

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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
HARARE City have decided to pursue the twinning deal with English Championship football side Nottingham Forest on their own. The deal was initiated by former coach, Mark Harrison, who left the municipality side in July in a huff.

Harare City’s marketing manager, Osborne Maranda, yesterday revealed they were now in direct contact with the Nottingham club.

“We will forever be grateful to our former coach, Mark Harrison, for starting this noble issue,’’ said Maranda.
“We parted ways towards the mid-season but he had already made the groundwork for the twinning deal.

“As Harare City Football Club, we weren’t in direct touch with Nottingham Forest as Harrison was mostly involved with the modalities.

“Of course, after Harrison departed, we had to look for alternatives and I am glad to announce that the deal is on. We will soon be visiting Nottingham and they will reciprocate the gesture in due course.”

The two sides had preliminarily agreed to make Warriors defender Tendayi Darikwa, who plies his trade at Nottingham Forest, the ambassador of the partnership.

“As a way to go, it will make a lot of sense for us to make Darikwa the ambassador of the deal.
“Of course, he is injured but he is on the books of Nottingham Forest . . . ”
Harrison, who hails from Derby, a city closer to Nottingham, started the partnership talks between the two clubs early this year while on his vacation.

He met with the chief executive of the Nottingham Sports Community, Graham Moran, who agreed in principle to work towards the union. Harare City are back in the Chibuku Super Cup spotlight when they face holders Triangle in a rearranged quarter-final at Rufaro this afternoon.

The Lloyd Chitembwe-coached side are the most successful team in the country’s biggest knock-out tournament that comes with the sole ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Winners will face Ngezi Platinum Stars in the semi-final this weekend.

Triangle outplayed them in the final at Gibbo last year.
Chibuku Super Cup Quarter-final fixture
Today: Harare City v Triangle (Rufaro)

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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
dates for the annual Carling Black Label pool tournament have been set and it gets underway this weekend at provincial levels.
Delta Beverages Corporate Affairs executive Patricia Murambinda said they expect a bigger and better tourney this year.

“Carling Black Label is a beer that recognises the game of pool as a major passion point for its consumers and that is why the brand has sponsored the Carling Black Label National Pool Tournaments for many years now,’’ she said.

“This is driven by the efforts to develop and reward the spirit of championship among our consumers.
“Carling Black Label National Pool Tournament campaign will begin with the regional tournaments which kick off on November 9 with games played across the country.

‘’There will be 64 men and 32 women battling it out to win the coveted prizes that we are giving away for this year’s finals.
“The winners will stand a chance to clinch spots at the finals. Carling Black Label will be rewarding the two winners, from divisions, with a pool table and $10 000.”

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Collin Matiza Sports Editor
UNHERALDED Zimbabwean female long-distance runner, Anna Bungu, was the surprise package at this year’s Old Mutual Soweto Marathon. She finished in the top 10 of the women’s race in the gruelling event which was held outside Johannesburg on Sunday.

Competing in her first Soweto Marathon, 23-year-old Bungu, who is under the guidance of one of the country’s former top male long-distance runners Collen Makaza, surprised all and sundry at this annual event.
She came home in seventh place in a good time of 2 hours 57 minutes 47 seconds.

She was just one place behind fellow Zimbabwean and veteran female road runner, Rutendo Nyahora, who crossed the finish line in 2hr 55min 26sec.

Three Zimbabweans finished in the top 10 in the women’s race. Faith Nyasango came 9th in 2hr 58min 56sec as the local athletes made their presence felt in this race which was won by South Africa’s Irvette van Zyl.
Van Zyl continued her dominance after winning the third consecutive edition of the “People’s Race”.

The 32-year-year-old mother of two ran the 42.2km race in 2hr 34min 01sec, just 58 seconds slower than her record-breaking win of 2:33:43 last year.

Victory in Soweto marked a powerful return to business by Van Zyl after undergoing an operation three months ago.
After giving birth in May 2018, Van Zyl instead chose to prepare to run and defend her Soweto Marathon title, delaying the operation until this year. Second and third place in the women’s 42.2km race went to two Ethiopians Selam Abere Alebachew (2:45:54) and Gadise Getachew Bekele (2:48:19).

“Congrats to Anna Bungu, first marathon and managed to be in top ten at (the) Soweto Marathon . . . So proud to be your coach,” Makaza wrote on his Facebook wall.

Sadly, no Zimbabwean featured in the top 10 of the men’s race at the same event.
In the men’s race, Ethiopia took honours as Debeko Dakamo Dasa won in 2:18:35.

There was a half-marathon at this year’s Soweto Marathon and the women’s 21.1km race was won by Zimbabwe’s Caroline Mhandu in a good time of 1:20:58.

She was followed home by another Zimbabwean female runner Rudo Mhonderwa who clocked 1:22:06.
Third place in the women’s 21.1km race was snatched by South Africa’s Diana Lebo Phalula (1:23:27). Another Zimbabwean runner Ethal Sibanda also did well in the women’s 21.1km race where she finished in fifth place in 1:26:23.

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SUCCESS is sweet for Zimbabwe’s top female boxer Monalisa Sibanda who won the Women’s International Boxing Organisation title in Kenya earlier this year after 25 years in the ring. She speaks to the British Embassy in Zimbabwe about fear, fighting boys and turning the murder of her mother into something that spurred her on to fight for herself — and others.

Monalisa Sibanda: The journey has been long and tough. The first time I tried to fight for a title like this was in 2012 against Ester Phiri of Zambia in a double world title fight — the IBO and WIBA world title.

Unfortunately I lost the fight in the seventh round. Then in September 2018 I fought in Namibia for a WIBA world title. l lost. The fight was clean and clear. I dominated. But as is the case in many fights there are a number of factors that disadvantage boxers when away from home.
Ten rounds

This year the WIBA fight consisted of ten rounds. The going got tough early in the fourth round. My opponent was very competitive. I knew that I was at a disadvantage because I wasn’t at home.

I reminded myself that I had to push extra hard and leave no room for any unfair decisions. I dominated the fight from the fifth round until we finished. I kept telling myself: This is it.

It has to be done. If I am to fall ill afterwards let it be. But this is not the time. I have to fight. That helped me outclass my opponent in the last rounds.

I cried when the announcement came. I was the champion I had always wanted to be. God had done it for me.
I was happy and I am still happy because it is a dream come true. The reality has proved the great power of prayer and the power of dreams.
Tired of not delivering

My biggest fear going into that fight? I had been promising this kind of victory to my fans for so many years. I was tired of making that promise and not delivering. I was tired of appearing to be a weak person.

I had to tell God that I am tired of promising my fellow Zimbabweans bringing the title home and coming back home empty-handed. I prayed to God to help me deliver and he did it.
“I started asking questions”

Growing up, I was a strong child who was generally fit and sporty. Boxing was just one of the activities I was involved in on a social level.

Later on, after my mother was killed by my step father, I started asking questions.
I wanted to know why women are weak. I wanted to know why men were so able to beat women easily.

So I started boxing initially with the aim of empowering myself to beat men and boys. I didn’t want men to think they could just beat women and get away with it.

I would get angry at seeing other girls or women being bullied. I would challenge the bullies.
Then I got into boxing. Fighting outside the ring is not something I do anymore.
People believe in my dreams

Boxing needs a good deal of sponsorship. There is need for great commitment from both the boxer and the sponsor.
The training is a tough one. The diet involved is expensive: there has to be a healthy body-building process.
My managers and promoters have been there for me, doing their best. But good funding is hard to come by.

I have always survived because people out there believe in me. People follow my progress and see my sacrifice and commitment.

They believe in my dreams. Once in a while I get individuals who chip in to help pay for fights. There are Zimbabweans out there with so much love.
I use my boxing only in the ring

Boxing is misunderstood in our society. I have realised there is a misconception that because I am a strong boxer I am a violent person.

That usually spoils any potential relationship. I want to say: What has boxing got to do with love now? Can we talk about love without thinking who beats the other (laughs)? It irritates me a lot.

I have learnt to be disciplined through sport. Yes, there was a point when I was a stubborn young girl fighting every boy who insulted me. These days I am much more mature. I use my boxing only in the ring.

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Legendary Zimbabwe-born Springboks World Cup winner Tendai ‘’Beast’’ Mtawarira announced his retirement from international rugby yesterday just days after his greatest triumph in Japan.

This is what he had to say:
“I’ve been privileged to play this great game and achieve many career goals over the last 12 years of playing senior rugby.
“I’ve been blessed to have been part of teams that achieved so much success over the years, and I have many memories to cherish forever, but I can honestly say that winning the Rugby World Cup is the perfect ending and cherry on top.

“I am grateful for the opportunities afforded to me by many top coaches at the Springboks and the Sharks, and grateful to my numerous team-mates in green and gold, and black and white, over the years.

“But most of all, to my wife Kuziva, and our two beautiful children — Talumba and Wangu — for sacrificing so much to allow me to chase my dreams. I really appreciate it immensely.

“I would also like to thank my parents, other family and friends for their support over the years — I could not have done this without you.

“Thank you South Africa for adopting me as a son. And to all my amazing fans around the world that chanted ‘Beeeeeeast’ everytime I did something spectacular on the field thank you, I will certainly miss that.
“Ngiyabonga, Tatenda, Dankie”

Reaction from South Africa Rugby president Mark Alexander: “Beast is someone who never complained, always put in the hard work and simply got on with his job in his typically unassuming way.
“When he first got an opportunity at the Sharks, he rode a bicycle to training, which perfectly sums up not only his humbleness, but his desire to make it to the top. He worked very hard to achieve what he has and we’re all very proud of him.

“Beast, thank you for what you’ve done for South African rugby, to show that Springboks can indeed be gentle giants, and for never putting your own interests above that of the team.
“We salute you and will miss you in green and gold.”

“Beast” In Numbers
South Africa — 117 Test caps, 2 Test tries
Sharks — 159 Vodacom Super Rugby caps
Rugby World Cup — 1
Castle Lager Rugby Championship — 1
Tri Nations — 1
British & Irish Lions Tour — 1
Currie Cups — 3

The post THANK YOU AND GOODBYE appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
IF Dynamos were an English team, they would have become the latest member of an exclusive group of clubs which have drawn eight successive matches in one season, in 131 years of professional league football in that country.

That such a scenario has happened only seven times, in more than a century of professional football in England, highlights why it is a rare occurrence for a club to draw eight league matches on the trot.

Records in domestic football, just like in the game on the continent, are sketchy and are unlikely to provide a true picture to illustrate whether this has happened before.

However, just a quick check on the English football league records, which have been kept intact since the first professional league was held in 1888, reveals that what the Glamour Boys have done, in the past eight games, is a very rare phenomenon.

Clearly, they are not the first top-flight side to have such an interesting sequence of results because, after all, seven other English football teams also went through a similar run in league matches.

The first one was Torquay United, exactly 50 years ago, when the then Third Division side put together eight draws in league matches on the trot.

That sequence started on October 25, 1969, when Torquay were held to a 0-0 draw by Luton Town.

A goalless draw against Southport followed before they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham, settled for another goalless draw against Rotherham United and then battled to a 1-1 draw against Barnsley.

Three more draws — against Brighton and Hove (2-2), Reading (1-1) and Bournemouth 2-2 — followed to make it eight draws on the bounce.

The chain of draws ended on Boxing Day in 1969 when Torquay United slumped to a 0-6 defeat at the hands of Plymouth Argyle before they bounced back to winning ways, in their next game, with a 1-0 victory over Walsall.

Middlesbrough, then in Division Two, were the next to put together an eight-game draw sequence in the league during the 1970/1971 season, starting with a 2-2 draw against Oxford United on April 3, 1971.

They followed that with draws against Blackburn Rovers (1-1), Sunderland (2-2), Cardiff City (1-1), Portsmouth (1-1), Sheffield United (1-1), Birmingham City (0-0) and Queens Park Rangers 1-1.

The following season, it happened again, this time in the Fourth Division of the English League when Peterborough United drew 3-3 against Exeter City on December 18, 1971, to start a run of eight straight draws in the league.

They followed that six-goal thriller with a 1-1 draw against Colchester, a 2-2 draw against Brentford, a goalless draw against Stockport County, a 2-2 draw against Hartlepool, a 1-1 draw against Darlington, a 1-1 draw against Northampton and a 4-4 draw against Lincoln City on December 2, 1972.

Peter Ndlovu’s old club, Birmingham City, were the next team to put together an eight-game draw sequence in the league, starting with a 1-1 draw against Exeter City on September 18, 1990.

The Blues followed that with draws against Wigan (1-1), Preston North End (1-1), Fulham (2-2), Reading (2-2), Southend United (1-1), Grimsby Town (0-0) and Crewe Alexandra (1-1).

Twice, in the 2005/2006 season, it happened with League One side Chesterfield and Championship team Southampton producing such a sequence of results.

The Chesterfield draw spree started on November 26, 2005 when they drew 1-1 against Blackpool and followed that with draws against Southend United (0-0), Brentford (1-1), Oldham (1-1), Scunthorpe United (2-2), Swindon Town (1-1), Nottingham Forest (0-0) and Barnsley (0-0).

Southampton, who are now an English Premiership side, started their draw spree on August 29, 2005, with a 1-1 draw against Coventry City and followed that with draws against Queens Park Rangers (1-1), Ipswich (2-20, Derby (2-20, Plymouth Argyle (0-0), Reading (0-0), Preston North End (1-1) and Hull City (1-1).

Swansea were the latest team to have such an interesting sequence of results, which started on November 25, 2008, when they drew 1-1 against Coventry City in their Championship game.

This was followed by draws against Cardiff City (2-2), Bristol City (0-0), Barnsley (2-2), Sheffield United (1-1), Blackpool (1-1), Coventry City (0-0) and Birmingham City (0-0).

No English side has featured in nine straight league draws in the history of the professional game in that country. Dynamos have drawn their last eight league matches against TelOne (0-0), ZPC Kariba (1-1), Yadah Stars (1-1), Bulawayo Chiefs (1-1), Ngezi Platinum Stars (0-0), Manica Diamonds (1-1) and Highlanders (1-1).

Had they converted half of those draws into victories, the Glamour Boys would have been sitting in third place, just a point behind second-placed FC Platinum, and firmly in the championship race.

If they had converted five of those draws into wins, Tonderai Ndiraya and his men would have been in second place, one point behind leaders and bitter rivals CAPS United, and in prime position to try and battle for the league title.

It could even have been better had they converted six of those draws into wins because it would have taken them to the top of the table, which would have been an incredible story given the way they looked hopelessly out of sorts and flirted with relegation at the beginning of the season, a point ahead of the chasing pack.

However, their inability to go for maximum points, in a run that has also seen them draw 10 of their last 11 matches, has been their Achilles heel.

Draw Statistics in English Football

— Opta Index

Most consecutive draws: (8) — Torquay United (1969/1970); Middlesbrough (1970-1971); Peterborough United (1971-1972); Birmingham City (1990-1991); Chesterfield (2005-2006); Southampton (2005-2006); Swansea City (2008-2009)

Most consecutive draws: (7) — Norwich City (1993-94); Southampton (1994-95); Manchester City (2009-2010)

Fewest draws in a season: (2) — Manchester City (2018-19); Tottenham Hotspur (2018-19)

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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
Harare City ……………………………..0
Triangle …………………………………..0
(Harare City won 3-1 on penalties)
TRIANGLE coach Taurai Mangwiro is a bitter man after the defence of their Chibuku Super Cup ended in a quarter-final defeat at Rufaro yesterday. Mangwiro’s charges had to travel for the fixture immediately after their CAF Confederation Cup second leg tie against Mauritanian club FC Nouadibou at Barbourfields on Sunday.

“Honestly speaking, I don’t think we were given a chance to defend the trophy,” said Mangwiro.
“That is the honest truth because how does one explain such a fixture for a team which is representing the country?
“We played on Sunday in Bulawayo in the CAF Confederation Cup and we were supposed to go back home in Triangle on Monday then drive again on Tuesday to Harare for this match on Wednesday.

“We have not been given a chance to prepare for the game, not even a single day to conduct a training session. I am not a magician.

“But, congratulations to Harare City, we wish them all the best in the semi-final.”
Harare City have now booked a semi-final date against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab this Saturday.
The rescheduled fixture had to be decided via the lottery after a dull draw in regulation time.

And three of the four Harare City takers, including goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, Moses Muchenje and Marshal Machazane, buried their kicks while Raymond Uchena blasted his effort wide.

Nyamupangedengu saved Collins Dhuwa’s kick while ‘keeper Ronald Mudimu and Russell Madamombe missed.
Only captain, Ralph Kawondera, was able to beat Nyamupangedengu.

“We have been longing for this. We carry a huge responsibility of playing and winning games,” said Harare City coach Lloyd Chitembwe.

“We are happy with the result and, certainly, not with the performance.
“I would like to give credit to the boys. We have mastered the art of winning games even without playing well.”
For two clubs who met in a lively final at Gibbo last year, this was a very dull match with minimal goalmouth action significant enough to write home about.

Harare City winger Ishmael Wadi, who has often provided a spark, never shifted into second gear.

Teams
Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, W. Manondo, K. Musharu (M. Machazane, 90th min) , T. Chimwemwe, I. Wadi, M. Diro-Nyenye, R. Uchena, W. Mukanga (T. Tavengwa, 58th min), M. Muchenje, M. Vengesayi (T. Tumba, 90th min) , H. Chapusha
Triangle: R. Mudimu, P. Tonha, A. Chivheya, D. Dzvinyai, T. Mavhunga, R. Kawondera, G. Bero, R. Madamombe, N. Chintuli, P. Manhanga (C. Dhuwa, 90th min), K. Chigwida

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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
IT is 26 years since Zimbabwe and Zambia last met in an AFCON qualifier. The two rivals have met 50 times in several competitions but have somehow found a way to avoid each other when it comes to the AFCON and World Cup matches.

Zimbabwe and Zambia have only been paired twice in AFCON qualifiers — for the 1982 finals in Libya and the 1994 edition in Tunisia.

The teams are yet to meet in World Cup matches. But, this year, fate ruled otherwise. They will now renew the rivalry which began with the inaugural Independence Cup at Rufaro in 1980.

They have also played each other in the CECAFA Cup, CHAN, COSAFA and a host of other international friendlies.
Botswana are also in the same group.
But it is the Battle of the Zambezi which has ignited interest.

Zambia hold the bragging rights after winning 19 of the 50 matches played between the two nations.
Zimbabwe have won 10 times and they drew 21.

“It’s always tricky playing Zambia because their style of play is more like ours,” said Agent “Ajira” Sawu, the former Dream Team star.

He featured in the last AFCON qualifier between the two nations back in 1993.
“So, it’s up to the boys to up their game on the day. The nation should also rally behind the boys in these two assignments.
“From long back, we have not had easy games against Zambia and I am sure they also haven’t found it any easier against us.

“It’s more like a derby, every time it’s about demonstrating to each other who is stronger between the two. The better team of the day is more likely to win. Like, I said, our football is just the same, we are only separated by the borders.”

Sawu still remembers the heartbreak when former Zambian skipper Kalusha Bwalya denied the Warriors their maiden ticket to the AFCON tournament. “The feeling was something else. The reason we compete in these qualifiers is because we want to go and play at the big stage,’’ said Sawu.

“Everyone wants that but when it doesn’t happen, you get sad, angry and disappointed. That’s what happened.’’
The Warriors are expected to begin camp next Monday with hopes high that their foreign-based players — Macauley Bonne, Jordan Zemura, Adam Chicksen and Cliff Moyo — would have received their passports.

“It’s a positive thing that our boys are doing quite well at their teams. It is my hope and prayer that they all will be able to take the same attitude and commitment to the national team when they come down here.
“Remember, there is a lot at stake. We need the AFCON,” said Sawu.

Zambia, just like Zimbabwe, are still under the tutelage of a caretaker coach Aggrey Chiyangi, who has named a 21-member squad for the back-to-back qualifiers against Algeria and Zimbabwe.

Chiyangi has recalled the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winning duo of Nathan Sinkala and Stophila Sunzu who are on the books of TP Mazembe and FC Metz respectively.

Zambia Squad
Goalkeeper: Sebastian Mwange (Green Eagles), Mwenya Chibwe (Polokwane City-RSA), Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco)
Defenders: Lawrence Chungu (Zanaco), Stophila Sunzu (FC Metz), Clement Mwape (Zesco United), Tandi Mwape, Kabaso Chongo (both TP Mazembe), Isaac Shamujompa (Buildcon)
Midfielders: Rally Bwalya (Power Dynamos), Nathan Sinkala (TP Mazembe), Kelvin Kampamba (Nkana), Salulani Phiri ([Polokwane City), Donashano Malama (Black Leopards), Augustine Mulenga (Orlando Pirates-RSA), Clatous Chama (Simba Sports-Tanzania), Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows)
Strikers: Evans Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Mwape Musonda (Black Leopards-RSA), Lazarous Kambole (Kaizer Chiefs-RSA), Justin Shonga (Orlando Pirates-RSA)

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