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Sables, Tunisia out to settle scores

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IN a week dominated by off field drama in which the Zimbabwe Sables opted to sleep in the streets in protest over a substandard hotel provided by hosts Tunisia, the two countries clash in potentially explosive Gold Cup rugby tie at Béja’s — Stade Municipal Boujemaa Kmiti this afternoon.

BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE

Never mind that victory is of paramount important for both teams as they bid to rescue their World Cup mission, this has been fuelled more by the accommodation debacle that culminated in a social media war between the sides for the better part of the week.

The Sables, smarting from a heartbreaking 45-36 defeat to Kenya in Nairobi last Saturday, arrived in Tunisia on Monday night but did not like the conditions of the hotel they were checked into and slept in the streets.

It was only the following morning that the problem was fixed, with Tunisia Rugby issuing an apology insisting it was not to unsettle the opponents.

But then they made a summersault the following day, where they castigated their Southern Africa visitors for what they described as “anti-sports and unethical actions by the Zimbabwean delegation.”

The two teams last met in the Gold Cup in July last year in Harare with Tunisia emerging 31-23 victors.

In the competition that acts as a the 2019 IRB World Cup qualifier, Zimbabwe lie fourth on a six-team log with just two points from as many matches while the hosts are rock bottom having played a single match and lost.

Namibia are threatening to run away with the sole ticket as they top the standing with 15 points with Kenya, who have a game in hand, chasing on eight points.

Kenya will be looking to reduce Namibia’s lead when they host Uganda in another interesting Gold Cup fixture.

Meanwhile, Sables forward Farai Mudariki has joined Worcester from French club Stado Tarbes Pyrenees.

Mudariki is the 11th signing so far for the Warriors and will arrive at Sixways next month after the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, which is a 2019 World Cup qualifier.

The 23-year-old will join the likes of Michael Fatialofa, Callum Black, Cornell du Preez and Issac Miller in the Worcester pack for this upcoming season as Director of Rugby Alan Solomons bolsters his forward options.

Solomons told the club’s website: “I’m very happy with the shape of our squad for the 2018/19 campaign. We have plenty of strength in depth and I’m genuinely excited about next season.”

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Troubled Bulawayo Chiefs face Yadah

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IT’S not looking good for financially-troubled Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debutants Bulawayo Chiefs who have to hurriedly assemble a competitive side to face visiting Yadah FC at Luveve Stadium tomorrow after seven first team players left to join other teams.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

Last Sithole has moved to across town rivals neighbours Chicken Inn with first choice goalkeeper Kelvin Nyoni having packed his bags to Bulawayo City.

Chiefs have also lost Moses Majika to Division One side Talen Vision while Talent Mandizadza, Barnabas Mushunje and Hamadzashe Moyo have also left the club which has struggled to pay its players in the first half of the season.

Central defender Polite Moyo will play his last match for the team this weekend before heading north to join title contenders Ngezi Platinum Stars, to make it seven key players that have ditched the team just a week after the mid-season transfer window opened.

They could still lose strikers Farai Matare and Perfect Chikwende who are reportedly being tracked by Chicken Inn.

Club technical analyst Thulani Sibanda yesterday said they will do with what is at their disposal.

Sibanda confirmed Matare and Chikwende are unsettled but said the club is putting together lucrative deals that can entice the duo to stay.

“We will cope with what we have. It is going to be a tough game against the more experienced Yadah who played good football. That is why they managed to come back from 3-0 to draw against Bulawayo City at Barbourfields. We are not guaranteed points against Yadah and we will have to try and do our best to survive relegation,” Sibanda said.

City would be looking for an improvement to their first half of the season performance where they won four matches, drew six and lost seven.

Interestingly, their rivals tomorrow have posted similar results. In the reverse fixture, the two teams drew 2-2 in Harare.

Meanwhile, Highlanders will be looking to stop their recent poor run when they travel to Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.

The Bulawayo giants lost their last two matches before the break, and have a huge task to stop the rot as they face a rejuvenated army side who are undefeated in their last six matches, with four wins and two draws.

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Chiefs legends back Billiat

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JOHANNESBURG — Kaizer Chiefs legends Thabo Mooki and Cyril Nzama have endorsed the signing of Zimbabwean international Khama Billiat (pictured).

KickOff

Amakhosi have largely been underperforming over the last three seasons, suffering their longest ever trophy drought since the club’s inception.

The arrival of Billiat has since brought about positive responses from the Chiefs faithful, who felt the club’s transfer business was left wanting in previous years.

Mooki and Nzama have further backed the arrival of the diminutive forward, as well as that of the other signings.
“He will do well and he fits in perfectly with the Kaizer Chiefs style of play,” declared Mooki on the club’s website.
“Billiat will add value and experience. He will combine well with Leonardo Castro, as they did at Mamelodi Sundowns,” added Nzama.

“I have seen Letlhogonolo Mirwa in action — the left-back is another good signing, while Virgil Vries complements the goalkeeping department nicely.
“I feel positive about the upcoming season.”

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Chevrons in T20l Dead Rubber

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Hosts Zimbabwe have their pride to play for when they take on Australia in their last round-robin match of the cricket T20I Triangular Series at the Harare Sports Club today. The Chevrons have lost twice to Pakistan and once to Australia during the week.

Coach Lalchand Rajput and his men know they need to bow out with some form of respect but they face the Aussies licking their wouds after a loss at the hands of Pakistan yesterday.

The Baggy Greens took the Chevrons to the sword in their first match with a new world record 172-run individual knock from their skipper Aaron Finch.

His opening partnership of 223 runs with D’Arcy Short was also the highest in T20I.

But Zimbabwe showed signs of improvement in their last match against Pakistan with Solomon Mire notching up the Chevrons’ highest individual T20I score after scoring 94 from 63 balls.

Zimbabwe will be hoping Mire fires again in today’s match.

Captain Hamilton Masakadza has found the going tough while a lot will be expected from the likes of Elton Chigumbura and Malcom Waller should they bat.

Australia come into the match on the back of a defeat by Pakistan yesterday. They are keen to bounce back to winning ways.

Finch, who has been in imperious touch with the bat, conceded that the team didn’t get going in any of the three departments yesterday.

“I think we didn’t get going all day, with ball and in the field and then with the bat, we could not develop any partnerships,” he said.

“I thought it was a 170 wicket. I thought we let them get away a little bit. Our fielding was a bit sloppy as well so it was a disappointing day all around.

“You like to keep winning all the time. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that today.

“We have got a short turnaround for Zimbabwe tomorrow and hopefully come out here on Sunday and turn it around.”

Pakistan are the world’s number one ranked side in T20Is while the Aussies are ranked third.

Given the quality of the opposition, it was always going to take something special for the hosts to compete against them, let alone post a victory.

Squads

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Ryan Burl, Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Donald Tiripano, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Solomon Mire, Peter Moor (wk), Chris Mpofu, Ryan Murray, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Malcolm Waller, Cephas Zhuwao

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

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Goal feast expected in World Cup battle

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MOSCOW. – Considering the attacking strength of France and Belgium, there’s potential for a goal-fest when the European neighbours meet in the World Cup semi-finals tonight.
The match kicks-off at 8pm.

While defensive doubts have arisen – against Argentina and Japan respectively – both have stood firm, with Belgium now enjoying their best major tournament since Mexico 1986.

The Red Devils will be without a key – if less flashy – part of their puzzle against France, with Thomas Meunier picking up a second booking prior to them being wiped for the semi-finals.

Les Bleus will be buoyed by the return of Blaise Matuidi, after sitting out a suspension of his own.
There was less at stake the last time the teams last went head-to-head at the World Cup, a 4-2 victory for France in the third-place match in 1986.

That was the last competitive match between the two countries but there have been eight international friendlies since.
Belgium won two of those, including the last one: an exhibition three years ago at Stade de France when the Belgians took a three-goal lead five minutes into the second half and held on to win 4-3.

With the second-youngest roster at the World Cup, France has shown no fear and advanced to its first World Cup semi-final since 2006 led by 19-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe and a pair of inexperienced attacking fullbacks in Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez.

“We’re not scared of anyone,” Pavard said. “We’ve been confident from the start and we’re not asking any questions of ourselves.”

Coach Didier Deschamps, who was captain when France won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, has instilled a steely mentality. “He motivates the troops with strong words,” Pavard said. “We’re ready to go to war with him.”

Deschamps made bold decisions to start Pavard on the right and Lucas Hernandez on the left. The pair, both 22, have only 20 international appearances between them but are playing with good composure.

In Belgium, there were doubts about Roberto Martinez’s ability to transfer the country’s individual talent into a collective force. He has Thierry Henry as his assistat.

“He’s given the team the desire to attack,” French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet said of Henry’s influence on the Belgian team.
“The forwards go to see him. He’s held in high esteem.”

Martinez’s tactics have stood out, too. With Belgium trailing Japan 2-0 in the round of 16, Martinez replaced two wide players with two midfielders and they both scored.

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and French No. 1 Hugo Lloris could be busy. Lloris has been criticised during the past year after errors for France and Tottenham. Star forward Eden Hazard is known for his attacking prowess, but he also is an outlet for Belgium’s defence. Hazard runs at pace and cuts inside.

Because of his quick feet, change of direction and exquisite close control, he is difficult to tackle and this often draws a foul.
While Giroud has yet to score at this World Cup, his ability to hold the ball up suits France’s system and allows Mbappe to make runs down the right flank. It also gives Antoine Griezmann space to roam.

“I try to create gaps for my teammates,” Giroud said. “It’s my unselfish side.”
He needs one goal to move ahead of France great Zinedine Zidane. They are tied on fourth overall with 31. – AFP.

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FOUR MONTHS LATER, IT’S LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED . . . WAS THIS DOMESTIC FOOTBALL’S BIGGEST DAMP SQUIB?

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Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
NEARLY four months after the explosion of what was supposed to be the move that would trigger a leadership crisis at ZIFA, the Sandton Project appears to have sensationally collapsed with the resignation of Felton Kamambo and Piraishe Mabhena having turned into a damp squib.

Kamambo and Mabhena quit their posts on the ZIFA Board in March claiming their leadership’s mandate to administer the game in this country had expired on the 28th of the same month and the duo demanding their other colleagues follow suit and step down.

Instead, the other three principal figures, ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa, his deputy Omega Sibanda and finance director Philemon Machana chose defiance and remained in office and have continued to run the show, albeit, with the full backing of the domestic football family and FIFA.

While the ZIFA board has remained intact, it is the pair of Kamambo and Mabhena, who were linked to the Sandton Project, who have literally disappeared from the football radar at a time when the Association’s election season is now in full swing with the nominations having closed for some of the affiliate bodies.

After the completion of the verification of candidates by the Electoral Committee, elections for the Premier Soccer League, Women’s League, Futsal and Beach Soccer are now set for the weekend while Area Zones will hold theirs on July 21-22.

Although, in the case of the PSL and the Area Zones, some candidates have been nominated unopposed the elective meetings would still have to be held in line with the constitutional and democratic provisions.

Kamambo and Mabhena’s resignations was viewed with suspicion by the Association’s leadership amid claims it was a co-ordinated attack on the organisation given it came at the same time Trevor Carelse-Juul, a serial campaigner for the top post in domestic football who has lost on the last two occasions, released a statement sharply criticising the state of the game in the country.

At the time of the resignations, the ZIFA leaders were also compiling a report dubbed “The Sandton Project” after a number of local football leaders met in Sandton, Johannesburg, where they hatched a plan to paralyse operations at the association to trigger elections, as quickly as possible, where they hoped to install a new leadership.

Nearly four months after the duo quit, the football family has marched on and ignored those resignations as if nothing happened at all.

In fact, FIFA virtually buried the dreams that the duo had that their resignation would trigger the collapse of the ZIFA Board when the world football governing body said those who were in charge of the sport, led by the three principal figures — Chiyangwa, Sibanda and Machana — would remain the legitimate leaders of the game in the country until elections are held.

ZIFA have rolled a road map that will culminate in elections for the executive committee being held in the first week of December.

FIFA’s decision was based on the ZIFA Electoral Code which says in Article 2 ( c ) that, ‘’unless this code states otherwise, the elected bodies of the ZIFA (from the executive, the regions, provinces and area zones) shall continue to exercise their functions until the completion of the electoral process.’’

Despite protests from those claim the current ZIFA leadership is violating the Constitution by remaining in power, Chiyangwa, in his capacity as ZIFA president, has been invited by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to be part of his guests for the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday.

That Infantino’s invitation was directed at Chiyangwa as ‘’ZIFA president,’’ also shows that, according to the world football governing body, the status of those who are in charge of domestic football has never been something that can be questioned leaving Mabhena and Kamambo in the cold, four months after they left their posts.

Some ZIFA provincial chairmen confirmed much with Masvingo’s Naboth Magwizi noting yesterday that “expectations of some crisis erupting in the leadership because of the resignations had failed to make any impact’’.

“It must be understood that we elected those people but when they left they did not consult us and football has continued to run smoothly without them. We have continued to administer football.

“As provinces we are elected by clubs and we report to clubs in our areas and in turn we elect those who sit on the board.

‘’In any case elections have been going on in terms of the election roadmap and after completing the ones for the Area Zones we are now focussing on the provinces and then we go to the regions and from there the Exco.

“So I don’t see football having a place for those people who wanted to destabilise it,’’ Magwizi said.

His Mashonaland Central counterpart Gilbert Saika echoed similar sentiments.

“To be more precise their absence has never been felt in football. Everything has remained normal and we are preparing for our elections very well with the electoral committee constantly updating us.

“The fact that those two abandoned ship with the hope of causing a crisis or sinking the ship means they cannot be trusted with any leadership position in this game again,’’ Saika said.

Derrick Matapure of Mashonaland West said the fact that the election roadmap was in full swing was testimony that the bid “to cripple ZIFA had failed’’.

“As far as we are concerned that move was of no effect. In Mash West and indeed across all provinces, life has gone on.

The way I saw it, there was a hidden hand behind those resignations and thankfully people in the assembly realised that there was plot to paralyse ZIFA operations and ignored them and football is fulfilling the constitutional requirement of holding elections without any tensions either,’’ Matapure said.

The post FOUR MONTHS LATER, IT’S LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED . . . WAS THIS DOMESTIC FOOTBALL’S BIGGEST DAMP SQUIB? appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Jack Wilshere joins West Ham on three-year deal

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Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has joined West Ham on a three-year deal and says he has moved to the club he supported as a boy. The 26-year-old England player’s contract with the Gunners expired at the end of June.

Wilshere, who has been capped 34 times by England, made his Arsenal debut 10 years ago

“It feels special. Many people know that I’ve had a special bond with this club growing up,” he said.

“I’ve got good memories of my childhood supporting West Ham, watching them at Upton Park.”

The Hammers are also closing in on the signing of Ukraine forward Andriy Yarmolenko.

A fee of about 20m euros (£17.66m) is understood to have been agreed with Borussia Dortmund.

Wilshere is set to fly to Switzerland to link up with new West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini’s squad at the club’s pre-season training camp.

“It feels good and of course my family and a few of my friends are West Ham fans so everyone’s buzzing.”
Jack Wilshere

Despite his career being badly affected by injuries, the Hammers are confident Wilshere can make a meaningful contribution to a squad being overhauled by Pellegrini.

West Ham director of football Mario Husillos said: “Manuel and I identified him as a target as soon as we joined the club and we are delighted to have succeeded in securing Jack’s signature above a number of other teams.”

Wilshere made 197 first-team appearances for Arsenal and was part of the 2014 and 2015 FA Cup-winning sides.

After spending the 2016-17 campaign on loan at fellow Premier League side Bournemouth, he returned to the Gunners and made 38 appearances last season but was not included in Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad.

Yarmolenko, 28, has scored 35 times in 77 appearances for his country.

He joined Dortmund from Dynamo Kiev in August 2017 but struggled to find his best form in Germany, scoring six goals in 26 appearances.

“They called me not every day but a lot of times telling me to come here,” he said.

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Lewis Hamilton says comment about Kimi Raikkonen after British GP was ‘dumb’

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Lewis Hamilton says he was “dumb” to imply Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen might have deliberately collided with him at the start of the British Grand Prix. Hamilton had referred to “interesting tactics” immediately after the race, in which Raikkonen hit the back of his Mercedes and spun him on the first lap.

Hamilton is eight points behind rival Sebastian Vettel in the drivers’ standings

On Instagram on Monday, Hamilton said: “Kimi said sorry and we move on. It was a racing incident and nothing more.”

Hamilton said “sometimes we say dumb” things and “we learn from it”.

The Briton said his immediate post-race remarks were down to the exhaustion he felt after such a demanding race.

“I lost nearly 3kg [in body fluids] trying to get back to the top for you and my team,” he said, addressing his 6.7 million followers on the social media platform.

“I barely had any energy at the end to stand, let alone talk.

“If you can’t understand and appreciate that, then I fully understand. However, [it] was nothing to do with anger, [I was] literally just exhausted both mentally and physically.

“Thank you to everyone for the incredible support this weekend. We win and lose together. Onwards and upwards.”

After the race, Hamilton had pointed out that twice in three races a Ferrari driver had collided with a Mercedes on the first lap.

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel hit Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas at the first corner of the French Grand Prix, forcing both to return to the pits to repair damage and fight from the back.

‘If you cry like a girl when you lose, do ballet’

At Silverstone, Hamilton was also sent to the back in the incident, from which he fought back to second place behind Vettel, who leads the championship from the Briton by eight points.

Raikkonen received a 10-second penalty for the incident and said he accepted it was his fault.

Vettel said after the race it was “silly” to think either incident had been deliberate, pointing out he had damaged his own race prospects in the collision in France.

Raikkonen’s wife Minttu put a post on Instagram saying: “If you cry like a girl when you lose, do ballet.”

She later removed the entry and, when addressing a fan who defended Hamilton, she added: “Just to be clear, I was not talking about the driver but the team who was crying afterwards that someone did something on purpose.

“No he didn’t. It’s called racing.”

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Madinda not worried by rough patch

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By Tadious Manyepo

Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu has refused to crucify his youthful charges after the team’s losing streak continued with a 0-1 defeat to Black Rhinos at the National Sports on Sunday.

Madinda Ndlovu

The Bulawayo giants have now lost three successive matches after defeats to Bulawayo Chiefs and FC Platinum before the season went to the mid-season break. Madinda said Bosso were not gunning for the championship this season but instead, he is laying a foundation for the team to succeed in the coming seasons.

“What we have to remember here and look at is not the issue of chasing for the championship or anything,’’ said Madinda. “Remember I said it at the beginning that we are embarking on a very serious and big project and that project is to try and bring exciting football.

“So, really, it would be very unfair for me to try and say that maybe this mid-season transfer window we crucify the boys.

“I think they have done well so far and we have to locate it from the point of view that they have to be given the opportunity, keep going with them and show them what football is all about.’’ Bosso could lose some of their most prized assets, including Gabriel Nyoni and Ozias Zibande, who are linked to Botswana teams.

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Khoza defends PSL over Ndoro

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Premier Soccer League chairman Irvin Khoza has leapt to the defence of the association following the latest twist in the ongoing Tendai Ndoro saga. The PSL has come under scrutiny due to their handling of the matter relating to Ndoro’s eligibility after his completed switch to Ajax Cape Town in January.

Tendai Ndoro

The Zimbabwean international was registered with his third club in the 2017-18 season without being red flagged as having already played for two clubs, which is the maximum prescribed by world governing body FIFA.

Ajax then proceeded to field the striker, who had played for Orlando Pirates and Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia, contravening the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

This wreaked havoc as the PSL appealed a controversial Dispute Resolution Chamber decision which cleared the 33-year-old to continue playing, before SAFA Arbitrator Nassir Cassim SC further referred the matter to FIFA while ordering Ndoro to stop playing.

In the interim, Ajax sought relief in court to field their on-form attacker at the time as they looked to escape the relegation zone, but these matters were subsequently thrown out by the South Gauteng High Court.

A final SAFA arbitration hearing by Adv. William Mokhari then ruled that the Cape-based side were to be docked seven points for matches in which Ndoro featured, subsequently relegating the club automatically after they had initially qualified for the play-offs.

Earlier this week, Ajax were handed a favourable outcome in their third appeal at court to set aside Mokhari’s award, with the PSL now looking to further appeal this judgement.

With six months having lapsed since the matter first came to the attention of the League, and the end still far from sight, Khoza insisted this has not blemished the association in the least.

“It’s not damaging because there’s no adverse decision against the League,” defended Khoza.

“Because, at the moment, the judge said that she cannot rule on the eligibility (of Ndoro), which is where the starting point was. If ever there was a (different) judgement on the eligibility, then you would say there’s damage.

“You must remember that all the cases that had attended arbitration were found to be correct in so far as doing away with the judgement of the DRC, and saying we are right in terms of jurisdiction.”

Khoza further emphasised that the current judgment, which is set to be appealed by the League, now affords engagement of each of the member clubs at the Board of Governors meeting set for Thursday, July 12.

“Judge Unterhalter also gave us a decision, so this one affords the members to exercise their options. We’ll advise the option that is best, which is the one we are proposing to them (to appeal the decision),” he added.

“It’s now for them to give us the directive. They might decide, “No, go that route,” which we are most comfortable to do as well. Whichever route we will take, we are comfortable with but we are here to make sure that we safeguard the interests of the members.

“Obviously when we engage them to say why it is that we chose this route (to appeal), I think they will understand better that it is within their interests that we take this route instead of the other.”

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Epoupa cautious with DeMbare

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Former Dynamos striker Christian Epoupa is taking a cautious approach in his dealings with the Glamour Boys who are looking to lure him back to Zimbabwe. Epoupa left the country three months ago following a payment row with the Glamour Boys, but the new executive at the club has been pushing for his return.

Christian Epoupa Ntouba (Picture by NewsDay)

His manager Gilbert Sengwe yesterday said negotiations were still continuing with the Harare giants and indicated the player needs assurances he will not get a raw deal again.

“Of course, Dynamos have indicated they want him back but we are still talking. It’s something that is not going to happen overnight. Remember the circumstances when this guy left?

“There were issues and I think these are some of the things that need to be looked into. But from our discussions I cannot rule out anything.

“He may come back but like I said it won’t be an overnight thing. There is also issues about his visa that needs to be applied for and it’s a process,” said Sengwe.

Epoupa was the driving force behind DeMbare’s spirited campaign last year when they finished runners-up to FC Platinum in the championship race.

He was the club’s leading scorer with 12 goals as they took the title push to the line.
But the Glamour Boys have failed to replicate their form without him.
The Harare giants are currently 11th on the log standings with 21 points from 18 starts.

Lloyd Mutasa’s men were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home by Chicken Inn after they conceded a 90th minute equaliser at Rufaro in a game they had led for the better part.

Their former player King Nasama spoiled the day when he cancelled out Quality Kangadze’s 48th minute strike with a stunning 90th minute header. DeMbare paid dearly for their decision to sit deep too early.

“I wouldn’t want to get into those issues because it involves the administration. But Epoupa is Dynamos at heart and it cannot be a surprise if he comes home,” said coach Lloyd Mutasa.

“We only have a few slots, probably two slots. When you have players on contract and you push them away and they don’t get contracts elsewhere it becomes a burden to the team.

“You also look at yourselves as a team whether you are able to look elsewhere because when you go out there you would want to get players who is probably better than what you have.

“It will be difficult for us to get one. But if we are lucky we may get one or two,” said Mutasa.
Chicken Inn’s Joey Antipas has since resigned to the fact that he could lose in-form left-back Devine Lunga to South Africa.

Lunga has been targeted by Supa Disk side Golden Arrows and is likely to leave during the current window.

“Devine is top-notch. He is definitely the best left-back in the country. It’s unfortunate that we will be losing him in weeks to come but we just have to move on and try and produce another Devine Lunga,” said Antipas.

The Gamecocks failed to capitalise on the slip up by the leading teams FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum to reduce the gap between them.

“It’s difficult. If we had picked up maximum points we could say we are putting. But we gained a point and if you look at the points difference, it’s massive.

“The other two teams will definitely start picking up points very soon. All we are just doing is to try and play our game and hopefully create pressure on the top two,” said Antipas. 

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Vincent wins Chapman grand slam

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Amateur golfer Kieran Vincent (pictured) who struck 209 points to win the Chapman grand slam tournament which was held over the weekend at Chapman golf club.

By Freeman Makopa

A total of 80 players battled out for the top slot in a 54 hole highly contested tournament.

Zimbabwe Golf Association development officer Boniface Chigorimbo said he is delighted with the level of competition displayed by the amateurs.

“This was a tightly contested tourney which pitted Zimbabwe’s finest amateurs in which all of them were fighting to win a prize. It was a well-organized event although we faced challenges related to bad weather conditions. But I can safely say we enjoyed the game and I would like to congratulate Kieran who emerging as the winner,” he said.

Chigorimbo said they are working on spreading the sport to other parts of the country.

“Currently we want to spread the sport to every corner, so firstly we are reaching out to schools so that they introduce the sport to the youngsters who will in future play for the nation. We want also to increase membership so that we can have as many people who take up golf in urban communities and also in rural areas. And most importantly we want to introduce a train the trainer initiative, a program which when rolled out will result in us having more trained coaches in every province of the country,” he added.

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Ndiraya frets over Dzukamanja loss

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Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Tonderai Ndiraya has admitted that the departure of top goal striker, Terence Dzukamanja will be a huge blow to Mhondoro Ngezi-based side.

BY GARISH PHIRI

Dzukamanja has sparked interests from the South African giants, Bidvest Wits and chances are he could be snatched this transfer window, after he impressed on international duty with the Warriors during the Cosafa Cup tournament.

He has netted eight goals so far in the Castle Lager Premiership.

Ndiraya is fretting on losing a player that has shown this season as they attempt to win the league title.

“It’s something that is really going to affect us. There is nothing we can do if he is going to move. We can’t stand in his way. He scored eight goals for us this season and most of them have helped the team. We have to run around and find someone who can get us goals,” he said.

“He has been a key member of our team and losing him shows we have potentially lost 15 or 20 goals. Naturally, if you have someone who can score such goals, it means you can fight for the championship and it’s something that is troubling us. At the same time we have to move on and find someone who can score for the team,” he said.

Ngezi began the second half of the season with a shock defeat to Herentals which was their fourth loss on the trot.

With the transfer window open, the club can draw from their bottomless pockets to buy the quality they need.

Ndiraya is also worried about his team’s losing streak.

“It’s not a good record. I am very disappointed. We are conceding goals in a schoolboy manner. I don’t expect it at this level of the game. It’s an area which we are looking at. We have not been sharp in the past games we have lost.

We have been getting goals from defenders, it’s a cause of concern and it’s an area we have to look at this transfer window so that we boost our strikeforce going forward. All the departments have not been doing well and we will sit down and see how we can beef up.”

The post Ndiraya frets over Dzukamanja loss appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Ntouba ready for return

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CHRISTIAN Ntouba has said he is ready to return to the country for a reunion with Dynamos if the Harare football giants are willing to meet his demands.

BY HENRY MHARA

The two parties’ relationship ended acrimoniously in April this year when the Cameroonian, who still has a running contract with Dynamos, flew back to his country after he fell out with the club over their failure to pay his salaries and allowances.

Some of his demands included getting part of his salary and allowances in foreign currency, which the club could not afford at the time..

But the new club’s executive have started a re-engagement process to bring the big centre forward back to Harare, and his manager Gilbert Sengwe yesterday confirmed they have been approached formally, and his client is ready to return.
“There have been negotiations, but it’s too early to give details because there is nothing concrete on the table at the moment. I have also spoken to him (Ntouba) and he says if everything is sorted, he is ready to return,” Sengwe said.

Ntouba left the country on April 28, after he had been frustrated by the Keni Mubaiwa-led executive who were failing to settle his signing-on fees and allowances, as well as refusing to pay some of his salaries in foreign currency.
He was owed $16 000, that the club’s sponsor NetOne later tried to settle, but the big centre forward had already made up his mind to quit.

The West African played a big role in Dynamos’ campaign last year when his 12 goals helped the side finish second in the title race when many people had written them off.

Without his goals, DeMbare has been dismal this season, hovering just above the relegation zone after 18 rounds of matches.

Club coach Lloyd Mutasa has made it clear that his team’s problems this term are down to a lack of a proper gunman in the mould of Ntouba.

Speaking after his team’s 1-1 draw with Chicken Inn at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday, Mutasa said he is confident that Ntouba will return to the club.

“I wouldn’t want to get much into that because those are administrative issues, but Epoupa has Dynamos at heart and it won’t be a surprise if he comes back home,” Mutasa said.

Samaita, as Mutasa is also known, was once again left frustrated after his side missed some good opportunities to score more goals in a match that they played second fiddle for most parts, but created the better chances.

Striker Quality Kangadze gave Dynamos the lead three minutes after the restart, a goal which was cancelled on 90th minute by the club’s former player King Nasama.

“Valentine Kadonzvo had a chance, with the keeper to beat, but he fluffed it over. Cleopas (Kapupurika) also had a chance in the second half, so we had two clear cut chances and if we had put them away, we could have come out victorious. I wasn’t happy with the conversion rate, we created a few chances, but we only managed to score one. If they had scored another one, it could have been better,” Mutasa bemoaned.

He revealed that the club has two slots open for new acquisitions, and reports suggest that they would be filled by Ntouba and former Denmark-based midfielder Tanaka Chinyahara, who has been training with the squad recently.

The post Ntouba ready for return appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Mapeza Rages After Defeat

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FC Platinum’s first home defeat in over two years left coach Norman Mapeza seething with anger after the log leaders fell 2-1 to ZPC Kariba at Mandava on Saturday. Mapeza exploded after being asked about the whereabouts of his frozen stars whose big moves to Mandava has turned into a nightmare.

The FC Platinum gaffer was incensed by his team’s weaknesses that were exposed by ZPC Kariba who, interestingly, were the last team to beat them in June 2016 at Mandava by a similar scoreline.

The defending champions were, however, consoled by retaining their six-point advantage at the top following their closest rivals Ngezi Platinum Stars’ loss to Herentals.

Mapeza’s men were poor at the back in the absence of regular central defender Kelvin Moyo who is away on trials at South African Premiership giants SuperSport United.

The coach chose to bench former Warriors central defender Lawrence Mhlanga. Last week, FC Platinum confirmed that Dynamos wrote to them requesting loan deals for stars Brett Amidu and Farai Mupasiri.

“Where did you get that information (about Amidu, Mupasiri proposed loan moves), who told you that, those who told you should answer you on that one,” said Mapeza.

“I cannot answer that one because I never saw it.

“I can only answer about something which I have on my hands and, for that one, the person who told you about those transfers is in a position to tell you.

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France make World Cup final

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Samuel Umtiti was the unlikely hero, in a showdown dripping with attacking talent, as he scored the only goal that powered France into the final of the FIFA World Cup last night – exactly 20 years after they won the tournament on home soil.

It’s also a dozen years since the French lost in the final of the World Cup at the hands of Italy. The Barcelona defender joined a special club – four of France’s last six goals in World Cup semi-finals have come from defenders – Marius Tresor (v West Germany, 1982) and Lilian Thuram (two v Croatia, 1998).

In a tight game, where the two teams gave very little away, it was a header from Umtiti that settled the contest as France beat Belgium 1-0. The French were powered by a determined and organised performance.

The winners were too strong defensively and, despite the high level Belgium displayed to get close to the opposition goal, they did not manage to show the opportunism they had in their five previous games at the most important moment.

Most of their star forwards were marked out of the game while goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made some fine stops when called upon. Kevin de Bruyne and Romelo Lukaku, so unplayable in the last battle, were not given much of a sniff and it was left to captain Eden Hazard to provide the bright moments. France continued to brilliantly avoid the Belgium trap.

After being dominated in the first half, due to the awesome Hazard, they took responsibility and the control of the match after half-time. Didier Deschamps’ squad definitely has a thousand faces, and they could all be smiling at the end of this World Cup.

They showed another side to their game in this second half, looked more confident, and the goal helped.

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Zim gears for netball champs

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ZIMBABWE’S senior netball team will get down to business this Sunday as they regroup in Harare for the African Senior Championships in Lusaka, Zambia next month.

The championships, set for August 13 to 19, are acting as the 2019 World Cup qualifier and will see eight countries – Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe and hosts Zambia – taking part.

Of the eight countries to meet in Zambia, South Africa and Malawi automatically qualified for the World Cup because of their rankings. And the other six countries will battle it out for the remaining two slots.  Sixteen countries from across the world will compete in next year’s global showpiece to be hosted by England. The teams are selected through both the International Netball Federation world rankings and qualifying tournaments.

South Africa are fifth while Malawi are ranked sixth on the INF world rankings.

With the stakes high at this year’s championships, Zimbabwe Netball Association president, Leticia Chipandu, said they were not leaving anything to chance.  “For now I can say the girls are coming into camp on the 15th of July, that’s Sunday. Letters have already been sent to the clubs asking management to release the players. ’They will be there until departure, up to the 9th of August.

“We want to make sure we train properly because this is not an easy assignment. It’s not going to be a stroll in the park. But I think the coaches will have enough time to prepare because they need to try several combinations to come up with the right combination,” said Chipandu.

Chipandu believes Zimbabwe, ranked 13th on the world rankings and the fourth best ranked African country behind South Africa, Malawi and Uganda (ranked seventh), stand a good chance of earning one of the tickets to the World Cup.

Lloyd Makunde will be in charge of the team, assisted by Ropafadzo Mutsauki and former national team coach Ledwin Dondo comes in as the manager.

Provisional Team: Pauline Jani, Perpetua Siyachitema, Cynthia Gamuchirayi, Rudo Karume, Ursula Ndlovu, Ndaiziveyi Madzikangava, Media Mafuta, Alice Banda, Patricia Mauladi, Edna Nyamhazha, Tafadzwa Mawango, Tafadzwa Matura, Claris Kwaramba, Mercy Mukwadi, Sharon Bwanali, Felistas Kwangwa, Christine Kadandara, Portia Miti.

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Teenage star Benza breaks King Peter’s record

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HIS father has already made history as the oldest player to feature in the domestic Premiership and on Saturday, Tinotenda Benza became the youngest scorer in the era of the modern top-flight league.

When Peter Ndlovu struck Highlanders’ second goal against Dynamos at the National Sports Stadioum back in 1990, in another league thriller which ended in a 2-2 draw, he became the youngest scorer in the old Super League at the age of 17.

The Flying Elephant would not have dreamt that 28 years later, another fresh-faced winger who was built like him in those early years, would join him on that elite podium

Enter Herentals teenage star Tino.

He scripted himself into the record books by becoming the youngest scorer (also aged 17) since the inception of the local Premiership in 1993.

His time in the sun came when he scored the only goal against title-chasing side, Ngezi Platinum Stars, last Saturday at the National Sports Stadium.

The Students forward’s goal was tailored in almost the same fashion as that epic finish by King Peter almost three decades ago.

Back then the King received a pass from Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo from the right side of midfield before storming goalward as he swept past Dynamos leftback Stanley “Samora” Chirambadare and squeezed his blistering effort between ‘keeper Peter “Chops” Fanwell and his near post.

And it was a startling remake of that vintage goal when in the 28th minute on Saturday, Herentals midfielder Archmore Majarira threaded his assist to Tino and the young sensation sneaked his way down the right channel.

He outpaced his marker, Ngezi leftback Frank Makarati, before firing his finish between ‘keeper Donovan Bernard and his near post.

These are the type of predatory finishes that will remain etched forever in any player’s mind.

As Tino raced towards The Students technical bench, he was hugged by his coach, Kumbi Mutiwekuziva and his dad, Innocent “IB9” Benza, the team’s director and veteran striker who started from the substitute’s bench that day.

“This goal is perhaps my finest so far and to learn that I have created some history by becoming the youngest player ever to score in a Premiership game, makes it very special indeed,” said the young player.

“It’s also my first goal in our debut season and I hope that this is the start of more glamorous things to come.

“I would like to thank the whole Herentals family, including the club’s supporters, who are just wonderful as they follow us at home and away.

“The technical team, which also includes my uncles Gerald and Paul, have been fantastic in my short professional career and my two elder brothers (Tafadzwa and Tariro) and my mom (Patience) always encourage me in good or bad times.

“My dad always keeps pushing me to strive for better things.”

Tino is an “A” Level student majoring in English, Business Studies and Maths and hopes to have time for both football and an academic degree.

“I didn’t watch many games that Peter featured in because of my age and only watched him when my dad took me to watch the Warriors matches during his twilight years,” he revealed.

Does he think he could become the next Peter Ndlovu?

“That’s a tough one, but I will strive to match and surpass that level,” replied the staunch admirer of Spanish giants Barcelona and their superstar, Lionel Messi.

For some of us, last Saturday, a darting teenager named Tinotenda Benza turned back the hands of time to produce a striking replica of King Peter’s classic goal — 28 diamond years                        later.

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JAZ president Deke wants more

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AFTER picking a bronze medal at the just-ended South African Judo Championships in Port Elizabeth, Sydney Mutero says his wish is to make his maiden appearance at the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, in September.

Mutero was the only senior local athletes at the event and got bronze in the Under-90kg. The championships began with the juniors’ competition last Tuesday where Zimbabwe picked a gold medal and a bronze medal through Jayden Peterson and Nikki Economopolous. “Actually, there is the World Championships towards the end of September . .  . I am going to be training for that,’’ said Mutero.

‘’I am going to take a week-long rest and start training on Monday with hopes that I get funding for the World Championships.

“I feel like right now I am at my peak and I am going to give it my best. This will be my first World Championships. Last time I could not go, I had a bad injury.’’

Going into last week’s tournament, Mutero was aiming for the top spot but could only manage a bronze.

The 26-year-old said although he missed his target, the championships gave him an insight of other areas he needs to work on. Mutero is one of the several judokas the national association is considering for African Championships and African Games on next year.

For the World championships, the Judo Association of Zimbabwe are guaranteed funding for two athletes from the International Judo Federation.

And JAZ president Smart Deke said they were now looking at raising funds for two more athletes so that they have, at least, four representatives at the championships from September 21 to 28.

The post JAZ president Deke wants more appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Ngezi Wheels Coming Off

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After seeing his charges suffer another depressing defeat to Herentals at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday, their fourth on the trot, Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Tonderai Ndiraya is a worried man. The platinum miners started the season like a house on fire, going for 14 matches without tasting defeat in a period Ndiraya also won the coach of the month accolade twice.

But, it appears, the ambitious outfit have lost their way after they failed to pick any points in their last four matches.

They have surrendered top spot to FC Platinum who now lead by six points.

Ndiraya had hoped the mid-season three-week break would help his men find their form but things haven’t gone to expectations.

Teenage forward Tinotenda Benza’s ferocious shot made sure Ngezi started the second half of the season on a losing note.

“The run is very disappointing, I thought we were going to regroup and start afresh but here we are, we lost again,” said Ndiraya.

“We have been conceding goals quite softly and you don’t expect that at this level of the game. It’s something which we have been trying to work on and we will continue to work on that.”

Ndiraya has largely been criticised for the way he has shuffled his back four in the past matches.

While the team’s natural left-back Qadr Amini is out injured, Keith Murera has always been deployed for that role and has been doing well while Kenneth Bulaji played at right-back for the better part of the first half of the season.

But, on Saturday in particular, the gaffer played Bulaji at left-back and the former CAPS United man looked jittery in that role and was largely to blame for the Herentals goal.

But Ndiraya defended his tactics.

“I am disappointed. As usual we failed to defend a simple ball that resulted into the goal. Our defenders failed to deal with a through ball and that has been the trend of late,” he said.

“Those are the things that we hope to be mending going forward but we are still hopeful that we will pick the points to take us to the Promised Land.

“Though we had covered much ground in the first half of the season, which is a good thing, we are not moving and it’s bad.

“We have lost 12 points in a row and that is a massive number for a team which is fighting for the honours and you get worried.

“All the departments have not been doing well of late, so we will have to sit down with the management and decide the way forward but, as the coach, we need to beef up some of these areas.”

With top marksman Terrence Dzvukamanja likely to head to South Africa, for a possible flirtation with Bidvest Wits, Ndiraya will have to dig even deeper to retain any chances of winning the title.

“He has scored several goals for us already this season.

“He has been a key member of our team and losing him means we would have potentially lost 15 or 20 goals.

“But, overall, the strike-force has been blunt and besides Dzvukamanja’s potential move, we had also planned to bring in someone who can score goals for us,” he said.

Ghanaian striker Steven Owusu, James Nguluve and Clive Augusto, who all showed a lot of promise in the early days of the campaign, are showing signs of losing their way.

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