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Ronaldo says he is different

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Turin. — Cristiano Ronaldo says he’s “different” from other players of his age who move to China or Qatar for mega-money deals.

During an official unveiling as a Juventus player, yesterday, he said he wanted to help bring Champions League success to his new club.

With the World Cup over, the superstar attacker’s 100 million-euro ($117 million) move from European champions Real Madrid has put all eyes on the Italian champions and Serie A, and Ronaldo said that he wasn’t “here on holiday”.

“I’m different from other players who think their careers are over when they’re my age,” said the 33-year-old Portugal captain.

“I want to show that I’m not like the others, I’m different.

“Players of my age go to China or Qatar so coming to such an important club at this stage in my career makes me very happy.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was his usual confident self at a press conference held largely in Portuguese at Juve’s state-of-the-art Allianz Stadium that was attended by media from all over the globe, saying that he had “nothing to prove to anyone”.

“The numbers are there, everyone knows what I’ve done for football, but I’m ambitious and I like challenges,” he said.

“I didn’t want to stay in my comfort zone after what I did for Manchester and Real Madrid. I want to leave my mark on Juve.”

Italian champions Juventus signed the superstar attacker, who put pen to paper on a four-year deal worth a reported 30 million euros a season, in the hope that he will push them to a coveted Champions League title, the continent’s holy grail.

Preparing to make a run at their eighth Serie A title in as many years and winner of four straight domestic doubles, the Old Lady of Italian football have struggled to turn domestic dominance into European trophies.

Juve haven’t won the competition since 1996 but were beaten finalists in 2015 and 2017, bested respectively by Barcelona and Ronaldo’s former club.

Ronaldo has scored more Champions League’s goals — 120 — than anyone else and won four out of the last five editions with Real Madrid.

“We’re going to fight for not just Champions League, but also Serie A and the others trophies,” he said.

“I need to work hard because the Champions League is not easily won. I hope I can help.”

Ronaldo was speaking to media after a busy day in Turin, which began with a warm welcome from Juve fans before Monday morning’s medical.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Allianz Stadium in Turin from early morning singing “Ronaldo, bring us the Champions (League)” as he emerged from the club’s medical centre to sign autographs and shake hands amid raucous chants.

“It was a stunning moment to be welcomed this way,” said Ronaldo.

“It increases your motivation to start work. I hope I can reward them.”

Ronaldo fever has swept Turin since he shocked the world by moving to Juve, and many of the youngsters who came out to greet their new hero were wearing Juventus shirts emblazoned with “Ronaldo” and the number 7, which have been selling quickly in Turin.

Some fans got up as early as 0430 (0230 GMT) to be at the stadium in time for Ronaldo’s brief meet and greet.

Mario, 47, from Brescia in Lombardy, is hoping that Ronaldo will bring his side the European success he has so long craved after watching him effectively knock Juve out of the Champions League in each of the last two seasons.

He was at the Allianz Stadium for the first leg of last season’s Champions League quarter-final — won 3-0 by Madrid — and among the Juve fans who rose to their feet to applaud Ronaldo’s outrageous bicycle kick goal.

Ronaldo also scored twice in the 2017 final and scored the controversial stoppage-time penalty that thwarted an incredible Juve comeback from three goals down and saw them exit at the quarter-final stage. — AFP.

The post Ronaldo says he is different appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.


AFRICA UNITED RULE

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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
FROM Angola to Cameroon, from Guinea to Algeria and from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Mali, Africa left its glorious footprints at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia at a global football show where the continent’s representative nations had their worst showing in 36 years.

Two weeks after Senegal’s elimination because of their poor Fair Play record ensured there would be no African nation in the knock-out stages of the World Cup, for the first time since 1982, the continent provided the defining influence in the grand finale in Moscow on Sunday.

Egypt lost all their three group games in Russia, to finish bottom of their group, Morocco also finished bottom of the group after losing two and drawing one game while Nigeria, Tunisia and Senegal all finished second from the bottom of the table.

While the Russian adventure will be remembered for the collective failure of the African representative nations — despite the continent parading some of the best talents in the game today, including Sadio Mane of Senegal and Mohammed Salah of Egypt — the final in Moscow on Sunday delivered a triumph whose roots had a significant African flavour.

Eight of France’s starting XI in the World Cup final on Sunday had immigrant roots and five of those players have African descendants who arrived in the country as immigrants — Mbappe, Pogba, Samuel Umtiti, N’Golo Kante and Blaise Matuidi.

A sixth, Raphael Verane, has roots in the French Caribbean.

For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup final, two players with African heritage — whose arrival in the countries they now represent had nothing to do with slavery — scored with Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe on target for the French in their 4-2 win over Croatia.

The legendary Pele and Jarzinho might have scored for Brazil in the FIFA World Cup final against Italy in Mexico City in 1970 but the duo’s pilgrimage to eventually end up as Brazilians, from their roots in Africa, was linked to the brutal era of the slave trade.

In sharp contrast, teenage forward Mbappe, who was named the Best Young Player at this year’s World Cup, and midfielder Pogba’s transformation into French stars had to do with the movement of their parents from Africa to settle in France as immigrants.

‘’If Kylian keeps equalling my records like this I may have to dust my boots off again,’’ Pele tweeted after the young Frenchman became the second youngest player to score in the World Cup final.

Marshall Gore, the ZIFA representative in the United Kingdom, has been working tirelessly to try and bring footballers — who were born in that country but have Zimbabwean roots — to come and represent this country in international football.

He believes the French and Belgian success stories in Russia should provide this country with a template to value the integration of immigrant stars.

‘’We have a number of very good players who were born in this country but have that Zimbabwean connection and we have been trying to bring them to play for the Warriors but the pace of their processing of documents has been very slow and a bit frustrating,’’ he said.

‘’If we are not careful, we will lose this talent because these guys will also get frustrated because they can’t understand why this is taking too long.

‘’They can add value to our team in a big way and we should understand that the game is changing and we have to move with the changes.’’

Mbappe was born in France to a Cameroonian father, Wilfried, and an Algerian mother, Fayza Lamari, and was taught, from a young age of six, by his dad — who is also a coach and agent — how to develop his skills in the beautiful game.

His other youth coach, Antonio Riccardi, who was also in charge of his development from his years as a six-year-old, remembers a footballer who was different and special.

‘’The first time I coached him was when he was six-years-old. You could tell he was different. Kylian could do much more than the other children,’’ he said.

‘’His dribbling was already fantastic and he was much faster than the others. He was the best player I’ve ever seen in 15 years coaching here. In Paris there are many talents, but I’d never seen a talent like him. He was what we call a ‘craque’ (the best).’’

Pogba, just like Mbappe, was born in France but his parents came from Guinea and his two brothers — Florentino and Mathias — actually play for the West African nation’s senior national football team.

Florentino, who is a defender at Turkish side Genclerbirligi in the country’s Super Lig and was born in the Guinea capital Conakry before moving to settle in France with his parents when he was eight-months-old, has been capped 21 times by the West African nation.

His twin brother Mathias plays as a forward for Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam and has been capped five times by the Guinea national team.

Barcelona defender Umtiti, who scored the decisive goal that knocked out Belgium in the semi-finals, was born in Yaounde, Cameroon, and was only two when his family moved to settle in Villeurbanne, outside Lyon, in France.

Matuidi was born in Toulouse, France, to an Angolan father, Faria Rivelino, and a Congolese mother, Elise, while Kante was born in France to Malian immigrants.

All the three substitutes which the French used in the final on Sunday had African roots with Stephen Nzonzi having Congolese connections, Corentin Tolisso being of Togolese descent and Nabil Fekir, the attacking midfielder, being born to parents of Algerian origin.

Fekir was even called into the Algerian side for the international friendlies against Oman and Qatar in March 2015 but withdrew from the squad and, instead, chose to join the French team for the friendlies against Brazil and Denmark around the same time.

Now, he is a World Cup winner.

The post AFRICA UNITED RULE appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Chitiyo’s agony continues

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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
CAPS United midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo will have to wait a bit longer before a delicate operation procedure is carried on his knee as the star’s manager and a Zambia-based doctor are not agreeing on the way forward.

He suffered a knee injury after he was hit by a car in Epworth five months ago.

His team have been struggling to put the resources together to enable him to undergo an operation in South Africa where over $12 000 is needed.

Touched by the midfielder’s plight, the Zambia-based medical doctor, Enos Mufushwa, offered to assist the talented star.

And, for once, Chitiyo could afford a smile as he was scheduled to be operated on last Tuesday, but the procedure has been put on hold after Mufushwa and the player’s manager Kudakwashe Chidemo had contrasting views.

Mufushwa yesterday warned the midfielder’s career will be in danger if the operation is delayed any longer.

“I can confirm that Ronald Chitiyo is yet to be operated on as his manager, Kudakwashe Chidemo, instructed us to wait as he said there is a South African club, which I can’t name at the moment, which has pledged to pay for the player’s operation which is more advanced than the one we had scheduled to undertake,” said Mufushwa.

“We were supposed to do the procedure on Tuesday last week. My team had to repeat the ultrasound scans since the ones Chitiyo had were old ones.

“After the scans he had to be admitted at a local hospital awaiting results and the operation, but then his manager stopped us.

“The player is still here, waiting for the day the said club will pay for the procedure.

“As a concerned Zimbabwean, I had volunteered to help the player. Chitiyo’s case touched my heart as I heard something in the region of R115 000 was needed for him to get operated on.

“He sustained the injury in February and he is still waiting. The more he waits the more the muscles undergo fibrosis and even the arthroscopy will be expensive.

“The one we wanted to carry out costs $545 which is only for the facilities and other minor logistics, but the one the said South African team is proposing needs  $8 000.

“The only difference is the one we had scheduled will leave a bit bigger scar, but the player will heal fast and play again.

“Anyway, we cannot go ahead with the operation without the manager’s consent. But, what is even more worrying is the fact that Chitiyo told me that he was once promised the same thing last time around, but nothing materialised.’’

Chidemo is confident his client will be successfully operated on, but stressed the procedure won’t go ahead before a thorough analysis is done.

“Basically, we are just evaluating a few issues, we are in talks with the doctor who is assisting us on a few procedures.

“Obviously, further assessments were done which we are just working on to make a decision so that the player can continue with his career.

“The issue about the South African club is a premature chat, nothing solid and we are, as I have said, still evaluating some decisions,” he said.

The post Chitiyo’s agony continues appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Pugilist Manyuchi snubs Kalombo

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FORMER World Boxing Control silver welter-weight title holder Charles Manyuchi has turned down a challenge by World Boxing Federation super-welterweight champion Emmany Kalombo, describing the Democratic Republic of Congo boxer as a “nonentity”.

BY HENRY MHARA

After knocking out his opponent Samuel Antwi in the second round to successfully defend his World Boxing Federation super-welterweight title bout at the UK vs Africa Kwesé Cup boxing tournament at the Harare International Conference Centre last week, Kalombo offered to fight the Zimbabwean superstar.

Said Kalombo: “I dreamt some time back receiving a call for a fight with Manyuchi, so that should be the next step for me. I would like to fight Manyuchi and I believe it would be a very good fight.”

The undefeated Kalombo has won all the 10 matches he has fought in his fledgling career, with all his opponents not lasting beyond the fifth round.

But despite the impressive record by the South Africa-based Congolese, Manyuchi, who is currently preparing for a fight in Russia, is not interested as he believes Kalombo is still too green.

“What could I possibly gain by fighting him? Let him improve his record and be worth a bit more first before he can start think of fighting me. It’s good for him to wish. Let him keep on wishing. But I understand him, he wants some money because boxing is business,” Manyuchi said.

Manyuchi is currently in Zambia, where he is camped in preparation for a fight against Russian Magomed Kurbanov on August 18.

The fight is for the International Boxing Federation, and is set for the DIVS Arena in Ekaterinburg, Russia, the same venue where two years ago Manyuchi demolished Dmitry Mikhaylenko before a capacity crowd of 70 000 to claim the WBC silver title.

The post Pugilist Manyuchi snubs Kalombo appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Chitiyo’s Agony Continues

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CAPS United midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo will have to wait a bit longer before a delicate operation procedure is carried on his knee as the star’s manager and a Zambia-based doctor are not agreeing on the way forward.

He suffered a knee injury after he was hit by a car in Epworth five months ago.

His team have been struggling to put the resources together to enable him to undergo an operation in South Africa where over $12 000 is needed.

Touched by the midfielder’s plight, the Zambia-based medical doctor, Enos Mufushwa, offered to assist the talented star.

And, for once, Chitiyo could afford a smile as he was scheduled to be operated on last Tuesday, but the procedure has been put on hold after Mufushwa and the player’s manager Kudakwashe Chidemo had contrasting views.

Mufushwa yesterday warned the midfielder’s career will be in danger if the operation is delayed any longer.

“I can confirm that Ronald Chitiyo is yet to be operated on as his manager, Kudakwashe Chidemo, instructed us to wait as he said there is a South African club, which I can’t name at the moment, which has pledged to pay for the player’s operation which is more advanced than the one we had scheduled to undertake,” said Mufushwa.

“We were supposed to do the procedure on Tuesday last week. My team had to repeat the ultrasound scans since the ones Chitiyo had were old ones.

“After the scans he had to be admitted at a local hospital awaiting results and the operation, but then his manager stopped us.

“The player is still here, waiting for the day the said club will pay for the procedure.

“As a concerned Zimbabwean, I had volunteered to help the player. Chitiyo’s case touched my heart as I heard something in the region of R115 000 was needed for him to get operated on.

“He sustained the injury in February and he is still waiting. The more he waits the more the muscles undergo fibrosis and even the arthroscopy will be expensive.

“The one we wanted to carry out costs $545 which is only for the facilities and other minor logistics, but the one the said South African team is proposing needs $8 000.

“The only difference is the one we had scheduled will leave a bit bigger scar, but the player will heal fast and play again.

“Anyway, we cannot go ahead with the operation without the manager’s consent. But, what is even more worrying is the fact that Chitiyo told me that he was once promised the same thing last time around, but nothing materialised.”

Chidemo is confident his client will be successfully operated on, but stressed the procedure won’t go ahead before a thorough analysis is done.

“Basically, we are just evaluating a few issues, we are in talks with the doctor who is assisting us on a few procedures.

“Obviously, further assessments were done which we are just working on to make a decision so that the player can continue with his career.

“The issue about the South African club is a premature chat, nothing solid and we are, as I have said, still evaluating some decisions,” he said.

The post Chitiyo’s Agony Continues appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Mushowani Stay Focused

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Seasoned Runyararo Service Stations Northern Region Division One League campaigners Mushowani Stars coach Levison Selous believes their back-to-back wins over Golden Valley will boost his players confidence.

Mushowani have reduced the gap between them and pacesetters Beta X1 to a single point after they managed to beat the goldminers 3-1 at Rimuka on Saturday.

The Madziva side beat the goldminers for the second time in two weeks as the season returned from a mid-season break.

Mushowani got their goals from Sunny Saware, Davies Kamanga and Paul Chiramba.

“We are happy with the win and it has given us confidence ahead of our next game which will be at home.

“We are very happy with our rate of of conversion and it is good that we are working as a unit and everyone is scoring goals,” said Selous.

They have now gone seven games without a defeat and the win has taken them into second place with 34 points.

Golden Valley have since dropped into fifth position and remain stuck on 31 points.

Beta XI were restricted to a 1-1 draw by visiting Banket United and are still on top of the log by a single point.

Northern Region Results

Cranborne Bullets 1, Ngezi Platinum U-19 0; Chegutu Pirates 0, Herentals U-20 1; Blue Jets 1, Alburaak 1; ZRP FC 2, Chinhoyi Stars 0; Harare City Cubs 4, PAM United 0; Beta XI 1, Banket United 1; DZ Evangel 0, Trojan Stars 1; Karoi United 1, Blue Swallows 0; Golden Valley 1, Mushowani Stars 3.

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Our Gentle Giant Rests

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Former Tennis Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Paul Chingoka was laid to rest at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare yesterday, with dignitaries from the local sporting fraternity describing him as an astute sports administrator.

Chingoka, who passed away last Friday, was given a resounding send-off yesterday, with people from different walks of life braving the cold conditions to pay their last respects to the seasoned sports administrator.

Several speakers described his death as a huge loss for sport.

Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation Permanent Secretary Prince Mupazviriho said Chingoka’s death came at a time when they were trying to tap into the experience of such personalities in their efforts to revive sport in the country.

“It’s a great loss. We are currently working hard to revive our sport, and when I say revive our sport, we would want to get back to the old days when we used to be known as the country which performs very well in tennis.

“And you know the Black family did very well and that was the time when the late Paul Chingoka was the president of tennis.

“He did not just lead tennis, he also was part of Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.

“So the loss is quite huge because we were tapping onto his experience, and knowledge. It’s a great loss to us when we are actually in the process of looking at how best can we revive various sporting disciplines,” said Mupazviriho

Under Chingoka’s leadership, the Zimbabwean Davis Cup team scaled great heights as they were promoted into the World Group and played against some of the best teams in the world at the time.

He will be remembered for his developmental programmes that saw the rise of previously marginalised black players such as Genius Chidzikwe, Gwinyai Tongoona and Martin Dzuwa, who was among those that attended the burial.

The burial was also attended by Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa.

Tennis Zimbabwe convener of selectors Tanya Chinamo described the late Chingoka as a humble person.

“He was president of Tennis Zimbabwe at our most successful period, especially in the Davis Cup and during the period of Wayne and Byron.

“During that time, obviously, he was involved in a lot of development.

“I think that was a period when we saw a lot of coaches being deployed to various provinces and churning out quite a lot of talent during that time, especially in the 1990s.

“He will be remembered fondly by a lot of coaches and a lot of other administrators who have followed his footsteps.

“Paul was just a humble guy, nice guy. He was a gentleman,” said Chinamo.

Chingoka’s sister, Patricia Kambarami, was devastated by her brother’s death and said he was their pillar of strength.

“It is a huge loss to the family. He is somebody we relied on, somebody who was always there for us all. We shared many memories with Paul and . . . you feel lost without Paul.

“I cannot believe that we are going to miss that hearty laugh of Paul; that smile,” said Kambarami.

“It is deeply saddening because Paul’s contribution was really immense.

“He was an excellent sports administrator and he nurtured a lot of tennis players as well as sports administrators in general.

“So his contribution was not only in tennis, but in other sport disciplines as well when he ascended to the helm of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.”

Former Dynamos coach David Mandigora was among the mourners that attended yesterday’s burial and said he had lost a brother in Chingoka, having known each other from childhood.

Other dignitaries who attended the burial included Sports Commission chairman Edward Siwela and acting director-general Joseph Muchechetere as well as board member Titus Zvomuya.

Chingoka is survived by his wife Abigail, two children Patrick and Gwinyai.

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Gallery Promotes Female Artists

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For several years women have been excluded systematically on art and anything major. History was mainly written by man in the public sphere, politics, war and administration. In the art sector exclusion was due to a myriad of factors.

Some of the factors were that art forms like textiles and what is called the “decorative arts” were often dismissed as craft and not “fine art”.

Many women were kept from pursuing a general education, let alone arts training; and finally the men who dominated the discipline both in practice and history often believed women to be inferior artists.

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe has been working tirelessly with the regards to redressing social injustices and gender imbalances.

It is important to note that for many decades, women have been actively involved in art making, whether as creators and innovators of new forms of artistic or as expression, patrons, collectors, sources of inspiration, or significant contributors as art historians and critics. It is in this vein that the National Gallery of Zimbabwe on the 23rd of August will host a women’s exhibition.

Themed the “Equality of Women” the exhibition will attract a sizeable number of female artists exhibiting. The Equality Women of exhibition will be co curated by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s executive director Doreen Sibanda and assistant curator Valerie Sithole.

The artworks to be exhibited illuminate unspoken words, emotional states, and elations and marginalisations. They show will present topical issues from the Zimbabwean perspective such as cultural suppression, patriarchy, matriarchy, physical and emotional abuse, inheritance and economic dependency, inequality, lack of empowerment and social marginalisation.

Moreover, positive leadership attributes of breaking glass ceilings, success at multi-tasking; stepping into roles previously preserved for men, and choosing to live life on their own terms will also be explored.

Some of the artists to exhibit include Doris Kamupira, Agnes Mupariwa, Grace Nyahangare, Charmaine Chitate, Portia Zvavahera, Virginia Chihota, Helen Teede, Maud Mariga, Davina Jogi, to mention but a few.

Born in 1968, Agnes Mupariwa is a stone sculptor. She started as a stone washer at the Chitungwiza Art Centre which ignited her passion for stone sculpting. She began to carve professionally in 2000.

She specialises in spring stone, opal and fruit Serpentine. Her resilience has seen her succeed in a male dominated stone sculpture industry. She has participated in local and international exhibitions. She won the second prize for originality and creativity by Grove limited in the Decade of Achievements exhibition in 2002 and an honorary mention in the 2017 Brock awards in Chitungwiza.

Born in Mutoko, Doris Kamupira studied art at the then British American Tobacco (BAT) Visual Art Studio now called the National Gallery School of Visual Art and Design. She holds an honors degree in Fine Arts from the Chinhoyi University of Technology. Her work takes a critical view on social, political and cultural issues. Kamupira uses her work as a means for expressing her inner most feelings and for interrogating situations where answers are supposed to be more developmental trends in dimensional changes. Her recent works are mixed media paintings that involve embroidering on canvas and pasting up pieces of cloth or paper.

Meanwhile, Grace Nyahangare is a talented young woman artist bound to make a difference in the society with her body of work creating unity. Printmaking and photography enables her to communicate about her personal life and the world at large.

The Women’s month is a month when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. The E-quality of Women is about work that comments on the perceived or actual parity of women in all spheres of achievement and activity; while offering an opportunity to reflect on the qualities that constitute women from a variety of perspectives.

This will take the form of a photographic image presentation. Various films produced by women will be available to view during the show in addition to the staging of films for the International Images Film Festival (IIFF) for women scheduled to run from the 24th to the 31st of August 2018.

Various conversations will take place exploring the topic and one event will be the Ladies the Lunch event scheduled for Friday August 31 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

The National Gallery continues to be a hub of art as it has been the voice of reason for the marginalised female artist. Artists are given equal opportunity to exhibit regardless of their gender.

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Chikosi to Hit Ground Running

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Newly-elected Zimbabwe Women Soccer League chairperson Barbara Chikosi will hit the ground running when she and her team convene their first meeting today.

Chikosi, famously known as “Mama Red Rose”, took over the women football leadership on Saturday when she beat Rosemary Kagonye.

The businesswoman managed 11 votes against Kagonye’s four.

The elections also saw Wilbert Rambanepasi becoming the vice chairperson while the quartet of Brenda Gorejena, Panganai Mahachi, Beulah Musara and Tafadzwa Mujuru were elected as committee members.

Chikosi said it is not going to be a one-person band.

“We are going to have our first meeting so that we map the way forward,” she said.

“It is good that we put to practice what we promised and that will be our starting point.

“We want to uplift the girl child and football and ensure that they get equal opportunities with their male counterparts.

“I want to see unity prevailing within all stakeholders for the good of the game.”

The chairperson of Premiership side Cyclone Stars, who has seen it all in football, said she is thankful for all those who voted for her.

“I would like to thank all those who had faith in me and I hope peace prevails as a lot happened during the build-up to the elections, but it’s now water under the bridge.

“I think results will speak for themselves and with the help of my board we are aiming to lure partners to the league which will benefit the clubs, especially the players,” she added.

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Harare Open golf tournament revived

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THE Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association (ZPGA) and the Harare City Council have partnered in the revival of the Harare Open golf tournament, which is expected to make a return on the local golfing calender next month after a four-year absence with a lucrative prize fund of $20 000 on offer.

BY GARISH PHIRI/DANIEL NHAKANISO

Formerly known as the Golden Pilsener Harare Open, the tournament was held between 2011 and 2014 before its demise after Delta Beverages withdrew its sponsorship.

The tournament which is expected to go a long way in marketing the capital city is set to be held at Chapman Golf Club from August 9 to10.

Speaking at the tournament’s official launch, Harare mayor, Bernard Manyenyeni, who is also a golf enthusiast, said his council was delighted to partner ZPGA in hosting the tournament which he believes is set to enhance the city’s status and the local sport as well.

“Let me first thank my predecessor mayor Much (Muchadeyi) Masunda under whose council leadership this tournament was crafted. I’m very proud to be among those giving birth to this new idea in taking it forward,” he said.

Manyenyeni cited examples of South African European Tour co-sanctioned tournaments such as the Jo’burg Open, Tshwane Open which have thrived due to partnerships between the Sunshine and European Tours and local authorities in that country.

“Among the very top high-profile tournaments in neighbouring South Africa, are tournaments that are hugely successful are events such as the Johannesburg Open, Tshwane Open and the South Africa Open which are projects of the municipalities in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Let me also share that apart from the geographical location of them being in South Africa, these three tournaments are actually European Tour tournaments, attracting the world’s best golfers,” he said.

Manyenyeni said the Harare Open had the potential to grow into one of the country’s biggest events and generate revenue for the country’s economy like what has been happening in South Africa.

“This Harare Open will do the same in the very near future. These events bring in millions of dollars into South Africa, its economy and developing their local golfers. I challenge future leaders of this city not to miss this opportunity. This Harare Open will attract top best golfers. With this launch, I wish to assure you that what we are launching is set to be a million-dollar global project which this city and country will be proud of,” he said.

ZPGA president, Gary Thompson said his association was overwhelmed with the gesture by the Harare City Council which he said would go a long way in demystifying the belief that the sport of golf was a preserve for the elite.

“As golfers we don’t see ourselves just in one sphere, everything else all beats around. We love the beauty and the talent in the sport. We think golf has been under-branded and under-played. People see it as an elite sport. This tour will bring people together and we are grateful,” he said.

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ITF pays special tribute to Chingoka

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WORLD tennis governing body International Tennis Federation (ITF) has paid special tribute to the late former Tennis Zimbabwe (TZ) and Zimbabwe Olympic (ZOC) president Paul Chingoka, crediting him for transforming the sport from an elitist game to one of the most popular sports in the country.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

The ITF, which is the governing body of world tennis, wheelchair tennis, and beach tennis, said it was saddened to learn about Chingoka’s death as he contributed immensely to the development of tennis not only in the country, but the rest of the continent.

“The ITF is saddened to learn of the death of former Tennis Zimbabwe president and ITF board member Paul Chingoka, who died on Friday 13 July following a lengthy illness,” ITF said in a statement.

“Chingoka, who helped transform tennis from an elitist sport to one that became popular throughout the country, saw Zimbabwe compete at the highest level of Davis Cup during his tenure — when the likes of Byron Black, Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyet helped to raise the profile of tennis in Africa during the late nineties.”

Under Chingoka’s leadership, Zimbabwe enjoyed its most successful run in the prestigious Davis Cup tennis competition, earning promotion to the elite World Group in 2000, where they competed against some of the world’s best sides.

The Zimbabwe Davis Cup team during that period was built around the legendary Black brothers — Wayne and Byron and doubles specialist Ullyett.

In addition to the success in the Davis Cup, Chingoka’s tenure at the helm also witnessed the transformation of the sport of tennis from an elitist sport culminating in the rise of black players such as Genius Chidzikwe, Gwinyai Tongoona and Martin Dzuwa, among others.

The London-based body also chronicled Chingoka’s success which saw him receiving the ITF award for services to the game in 1998 in addition to serving on its influential board of directors as well as its several commissions and committees.

Added ITF: “Chingoka was honoured with an ITF award for services to the game in 1998, and sat on the ITF board of directors from 2001-2005. During that time he also held other roles for the ITF, including his position as chairman of the coaches commission, and member of both the development advisors group and the African Zonal Davis Cup committee.”
Chingoka, whose brother Peter is former Zimbabwe Cricket board chairman, became president of Tennis Zimbabwe in 1991, a position he held for over a decade-and-a-half.

He was also president of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) from 2003 to 2007.

He was chef de mission of tennis at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and was chef de mission of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee in Sydney for the 2000 Olympics.

After leaving TZ following a glittering career, Chingoka took over as ZOC boss in 2004 where he also enjoyed similar success until stepping down in 2006.

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Zimbabwe aim to keep series alive

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ZIMBABWE will be aiming to keep their series with Pakistan alive when the two clash in the third of five one-day international matches at Queens Sports Club this morning.

by KEVIN MAPASURE

This series has so far been a one-sided affair and there has not been any evidence that Zimbabwe might rise from the dead and put themselves back in the frame against this efficient Pakistan side.

The home side has had to field a reserve side as some of the key players continue to sideline themselves as their problems with the administration show no signs of coming to an end soon.

In the meantime the selectors have to work with a squad without stars such as Brendan Taylor, Graeme Cremer, Sikandar Raza and Craig Ervine to mention but four.

And considering the resources that are available, Zimbabwe can ill afford that. The problems have been compounded by the injury to Solomon Mire who shined with the bat in the T-20 triangular series that also involved Australia earlier this month.

While the tourists are probably thinking of a whitewash, Zimbabwe is fixated on at least giving it a fight.
Even one win under the circumstances, will be an achievement.

After being thrashed by 201 runs and then by nine wickets in the second match on Monday, there is a lot to work on for Zimbabwe to give themselves a chance in the third match today.

They may need some changes, but who to bring on is the question. They do have some experience in the ranks and they will back themselves to produce an upset, particularly with the presence of Hamilton Masakadza in the side, they know that if he can fire they may have a chance.

It is the back-up that they may struggle for although the likes of Peter Moor and Tarisai Musakanda have shown that they can be up to the task. The opening partnership that has so far featured Chamu Chibhabha, who has a lot of potential, and Brian Chari has failed to provide the solid platform with the bat.

Today the duo, if thrust in again, will be looking to justify their places in the team. Chibhabha has been in and out of the side over the last few years while Chari has mostly been called up in Test cricket, but he wants to show that he is just as able in this format of the game.

This is naturally a fight for places for most of the players in this team who have failed to nail down places when everyone is available.

They know, however, that they face a tough task against a very good bowling unit that includes among others Mohammad Amir, Usman Khana and Hasan Ali.

The Zimbabwean bowlers had a tough time on Monday, taking just one wicket through a run out and today they will be looking for more success.

For them, it’s another tough assignment against a very confident batting unit that knows how to put opponents under pressure.

All hope is that it will not be another one-sided affair for the fans who want to see a good game of cricket.
For Zimbabwe it’s about showing a fighting spirit and hoping to pull out a surprise that would spur them on in the last two matches.

The post Zimbabwe aim to keep series alive appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

DeMbare’s Amidu blow

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DYNAMOS’ bid to lure back midfielder Brett Amidu to Harare has been thrown into uncertainty with reports suggesting FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza is weighing up his options with a view to consider the player in his title defence.

bY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

The development has dealt a body blow to the Glamour Boys who were looking to strengthen their side after a difficult start to the campaign.

Their situation was compounded after they lost another midfielder Raphael Manuvire who asked to be released.

The transfer window opened on July 1 and will close at the end of the month. But sources close to FC Platinum
yesterday said Mapeza was reluctant to release the player as he had plans for him in his championship bid.

Amidu has struggled to hold down a first team shirt at the Zvishavane side since he joined in 2016 and had reportedly expressed interest to return to Dynamos where he is guaranteed game time.

“Right now there is nothing to suggest he will join FC Platinum. The position is the coach (Mapeza) is considering using the player during this transfer window. So everything will be clearer towards the end of the month when the transfer window closes,” said the source.

Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa however, believes the deal to bring Amidu back could be sealed any time from now.
Amidu left the Harare giants at the start of the 2017 season to join the Zvishavane outfit on a three-year deal. He now has six months left on his current deal with FC Platinum.

Mutasa’s men have struggled in front of goal this term where they have scored just 17 goals in 19 matches. They have started the re-engagement process to bring back Cameroonian striker Christian Ntouba Epoupa.

Ntouba called it quits at the start of the season due to frustration as the then Dynamos executive led by Keni Mubaiwa reneged on their promise to pay him his dues.

The Cameroonian top scored for the Glamour Boys last term with 12 goals in a season in which they were unfortunate to be beaten to the title by FC Platinum on the very last day of the league programme to finish in second place.

Dynamos are set to host Ngezi Platinum at Rufaro Stadium this weekend as they try to push to finish in a respectable position.

Last weekend they lost concentration at the death to allow Chicken Inn a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

The post DeMbare’s Amidu blow appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

‘SCHOOLBOY’ DIES

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THE boxing fraternity yesterday woke up to the shocking news of the untimely death of one of Zimbabwe’s finest and greatest boxers of all time, Langton ‘Schoolboy’ Tinago.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA/ GARISH PHIRI

Tinago passed on at Gweru General Hospital after suffering from pneumonia.
He was 68.

Tinago is survived by his wife Mary and four children. Mourners are gathered at 45 Norah Street in Mambo, Gweru.
His close friend and former Zimbabwe Amatuer Boxing Federation secretary-general Godwill Sibanda confirmed the death of the boxing legend.

“It is with great sadness that early this morning (Tuesday), we learnt of the death of our icon — Langton ‘Schoolboy’ Tinago.

“He died at Gweru General Hospital this morning after a long illness. He leaves behind his mother Efa Pombi, wife Mary and four children,” Sibanda said.

Tinago defied all odds to become the only Zimbabwean three-time Commonwealth boxing champion — winning two consecutive lightweight titles and a super-featherweight.

He was the first Zimbabwean boxer to retire unbeaten in both lightweight titles and a super-featherweight since 1956.
“Gazi”, as he was affectionately known in Gweru began his boxing career in 1967 and at one point he beat veteran boxing trainer Harold Volbrecht then ranked the world number seven, back in 1987.

During his illustrious career, Tinago was the first to win the Sportsman of the Year award three years in a row and then coming second in the fourth year.

The sportsperson to come closest to this feat was swimming queen Kirsty Coventry who won the award two times in a row.
Boxing Control Board chairperson Richard Hondo,who saw Tinago’s boxing career bloss
om was saddened with the news.

“I saw his career start until his retirement. He is the greatest boxer ever to emerge from this country. That, I can testify. He is the Zimbabwean sportsperson who made history in the Commonwealth Games, being a champion three times. It’s a huge blow for us and no one can match his discipline and he will remain the best in Zimbabwe’s boxing history,” he said.

Tinago reached the pinnacle of his career in the 1980s when he won his first international silverware after beating Nigerian superstar Hogan Jimoh in Lagos.

The Zimbabwean boxing legend went on to defeat Australian boxer Graeme Brooke to win his first Commonwealth lightweight title back in 1986.

For his sterling achievements on the international stage, Tinago was at one point given an accolade by the Zimbabwe Boxing Control Board.

In Zimbabwe, he also won the Zimbabwean lightweight and welterweight titles on numerous occasions.

Tinago played an influential role in the development of grassroots boxing. In 2016, he formed a boxing club — Ascot Boxing Club in Gweru, which however, collapsed due to lack of sponsorship. He had also been mentoring a number of local boxers, including Edmore Takawira, and at one point trained Alfonso “Mosquito” Zvenyika.

The post ‘SCHOOLBOY’ DIES appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Zim cricket team sink deeper

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Pakistan 69 for 1 (Fakhar 43*, Muzarabani 1-43) beat Zimbabwe 67 all out (Chibhabha 16, Faheem 5-22, Junaid Khan 2-7) by nine wickets

BY KEVIN MAPASURE

ABOUT 30 minutes before the scheduled lunch break, it was all over. Those cricket fans who had planned on arriving around lunch to pick the game up at the start of the second innings were left disappointed to note that they had not missed anything.

By the time the two teams had their lunch, Pakistan were already celebrating another 9-wicket win over Zimbabwe, the second in as many matches-which also gave them a series win with two more matches still to come at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo

With the way things had gone in this series, a win for Pakistan was hugely expected, but for Zimbabwe to be wiped out for just 67 runs in under 26 overs, was as disappointing and dispiriting as can be.

The tourists raced to their victory target in under 10 overs, they did it with 241 balls to spare to be precise.
Fakhar Zaman scored 43 runs from 24 balls.

Zimbabwe’s 67 is the lowest score Pakistan have ever bowled any team for.

This a day that Zimbabwe would want to move on from as quickly as possible, but the scary part for the local fans is that there are two more matches to be played at the same venue against the same opponent.

Yesterday’s numbers make for a disappointing reading for Zimbabweans with Chamu Chibhabha’s 16 being the top score.

Hamilton and Wellington Masakadza each made 10 and that was all in terms of double figures for Zimbabwe.

Prince Masvaure, replacing Brian Chari, fell for a single run in the second over to Usman Khan and Zimbabwe never recovered after winning the toss.

Zimbabwe had only 18 runs on the board when Hamilton Masakadza followed him to the hut and by the time the home side’s innings reached 15 overs, seven wickets had tumbled with only 43 runs on the board.

If it’s any consolation, Zimbabwe had avoided claiming the record for the lowest ODI score ever.

Tarisai Musakanda (0) Ryan Murray (1) Elton Chigumbura (9) and Tendai Chisoro were all disappointing.

The most disappointing part is that even though this was a largely reserve side, the individuals were not as bad as the numbers yesterday or as the series suggest.

How to move on from this nightmare is the biggest challenge, but they have to. Yesterday Faheem Ashraf helped himself to a fiver taking 5 for 22 in 8.1 overs.

On the Zimbabwe bowling side, Blessing Muzarabani got their only wicket in the first over of the innings.

With the next match coming tomorrow, something has got to change and the Zimbabwe team have got to start believing in themselves.

Everything is stacked against them with so much pressure and criticism, devoid of some of their best players and playing Pakistan in spinning conditions, but they will have to raise their hands up and at least give this match a fight to try and salvage some pride.

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Tough duels for platinums

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IT’S a weekend that could confirm the shift in balance of power when the country’s so-called big three – Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United – face off with the emerging giants led by the platinum mining teams, in a battle of the old guard versus the new order.

BY HENRY MHARA

Dynamos host Ngezi Platinum Stars while Caps travel to Mandava Stadium to confront log leaders FC Platinum.
Highlanders are also on the road this weekend, with a long trip to Gibbo to play Triangle.

The traditional giants have been in all sorts of problems this season and are outside the top four after 19 rounds of matches.

Their positions in the top echelons of power have been taken over by the platinum miners and other well-run teams like Triangle and Chicken Inn, who have managed to flex their muscle to take control of the league.

Dynamos, the most successful team in the country, are 10th on the log standings with 22 points, 23 off the pace. Caps are sixth with 31 points, while Highlanders, despite all their troubles in the last few weeks, are the
best-placed team of the three, in fifth position with 32 points.

In essence, they are all effectively out of the title race, barring a modern-day football miracle.

On the other hand, the platinum miners, FC Platinum and Ngezi, are pulling away from the rest in the title race and the only two teams that are looking like threatening their supremacy this season are Triangle and Chicken Inn.

That leaves Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps to play for nothing other than pride in their battles this weekend.

But for the big teams to get the wins, it would take some effort.

It’s the match at Mandava Stadium on Saturday that looks the more fascinating. Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum have been scintillating this year, playing some beautiful passing football, but for all their brilliance, their battles against the Green Machine have been closely fought.

In the reverse fixture, it ended in a goalless stalemate while Caps got four points last season from this duel, winning 2-1 in Harare before forcing a 1-1 draw at Mandava. The defeat was one of the only two losses that they recorded in their way to the title romp last season.

Then on Sunday, Dynamos host Ngezi on the day’s headline fixture. The Mhondoro Ngezi-based outfit had been one of the standout teams until the last five fixtures when they hit a bad patch that saw them losing four matches in a row, to surrender their top position on the log table.

They recovered last week with a 3-1 win at home to Triangle, but if there is a goof time for Dynamos to take on this team, it is now.

They might have won their last match, but there is no doubt that their confidence is still very much brittle.
Plus the three points on offer, revenge will also be uppermost on the minds of Dynamos who were beaten 1-0 at Baobab earlier this season.

Highlanders’ performance this far has been very frustrating for their supporters. They don’t just know what to expect from their team.

One day they play some eye-catching football and then the next, they are just flat.

Bosso started the season brightly, but then fizzled out as the season entered the halfway stage. Recently, they have been poor. A return of three points from a possible 12 points is an indication of something wrong in their camp. After their scrappy win against Herentals last weekend, to stop the rot, a trip away to fourth-placed Triangle could have come at the wrong time in their recovery attempts.

On recent form, it is difficult to predict how these matches would go, but whatever the outcomes, it is Chicken Inn that could emerge as major beneficiaries.

Match-day 20 fixtures

Saturday: Harare City v Chapungu (Rufaro), Bulawayo Chiefs v Bulawayo City (Luveve), FC Platinum v Caps (Mandava), Black Rhinos v Yadah (National Sports Stadium), Nichrut v Shabanie (Ascot)

Sunday: Dynamos v Ngezi (Rufaro), Herentals v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo), Mutare City v Chicken Inn (Vengere)

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Zim Volleyball Fixtures Brought Forward to Cater for Polls

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The Zimbabwe Volleyball Association (ZVA) will kick-start its league fixtures a week earlier than normal schedule to allow members to vote in the 30 July harmonized elections.

According to the revised fixtures, teams will battle it out at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) courts. In the opening fixtures NABA with lock horns with Parrots while the hosts will battle it out against NUST.

The season will also see teams taking turns to host league matches and apart from Harare and Bulawayo, places like Chiredzi and Chinhoyi will be treated to some high-quality volleyball during the 2018 ZNVL season.

With a total of 13 teams confirmed, (8 men and 5 women), the league will be riding on the success story of three of its clubs (Support Unit, UZ Wolves, both men’s teams and Harare City, ladies team) at the regional and continental stage.

Champions of the 2017 ZNVL (Support Unit and Harare City respectively) went on to win the Zone 6 Club Championships held in Bulawayo in December last year with UZ Wolves deservedly bagging silver in the men’s category.

ZVA recently appointed Khanyile Dhlamini as the Chairperson of the ZNVL. She will be assisted by the ZVA Control Committee and the Referee’s delegate to successfully run the 2018 league games.

On the side-lines of the first weekend games, ZVA will take time to reward those teams, technical officials and players that excelled in the 2017 ZNVL season.

The post Zim Volleyball Fixtures Brought Forward to Cater for Polls appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Zimbabwe: Boxing Legend Langton ‘School Boy’ Tinago Dies – allAfrica.com

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Zimbabwe’s legendary boxer Langton ‘School Boy’ Tinago has died.

He was 68.

Tinago passed on at Gweru General Hospital on Tuesday morning after a long illness.

He is survived by his wife Mary and four children. Mourners are gathered at 45 Norah Street in Mambo.

Tinago went beyond the call of duty in boxing career, becoming the first Zimbabwean to win three-time Commonwealth boxing champion – winning two consecutive lightweight titles and a super-featherweight.

He was the first Zimbabwean boxer to retire unbeaten in both lightweight titles and a super-featherweight since June 1956.

Tinago began his boxing career in 1967 and at one point defeated Herald Vabrect then ranked the world number seven back in 1987.

He was the first to win the sportsperson of the year three times in a row and was runner up in the the fourth year.

The Boxing Control Board Chairperson Richard Hondo, was saddened with the news.

Tinago reached the top of his career in the 1980s when he won his first international silverware after beating Nigerian superstar Hogan Jimoh in Lagos.

He went on to defeat Australian boxer Graeme Brooke to win his first Common wealth lightweight title way back in 1986.

In Zimbabwe, he also won the Zimbabwean light weight and welterweight titles on numerous occasions.

Tinago played an influential role in the development of grassroots boxing. In 2016, he formed a boxing club- Ascot Boxing Club which however, collapsed due to lack of sponsorship.

Tinago had also been mentoring a number of local boxers that include Edmore Takawira and at one point he trained Alfonso “Mosquito” Zvenyika.

The post Zimbabwe: Boxing Legend Langton ‘School Boy’ Tinago Dies – allAfrica.com appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

Caps Target Ex-Chiefs Star

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CAPS United have been linked with former Kaizer Chiefs forward Mitchel Katsvairo and ex-Dynamos striker Takunda Sadiki.

Katsvairo is looking for a club to revive his career while Sadiki was at Mutare City during the first half of the season. The duo are training with the Green Machine.

“The coach hasn’t said anything regarding the two. Katsvairo started training today and Sadiki has been training but nothing has been said from the technical team,” club chief executive, Cuthbert Chitima, told The Herald.

“We wait for recommendations, if there are any that will come, from the technical team.” CAPS United face champions FC Platinum at Mandava this weekend.

Chitembwe says he is unfazed his troops haven’t scored a goal in 180 minutes. The former champions appear to have lost some of their rhythm since the resumption of the league having stumbled in goalless draws against Harare City and Bulawayo Chiefs.

They last posted a victory in Gweru on June 18, beating Chapungu 2-0 at Ascot. This weekend, the Green Machine have a tricky date against champions FC Platinum at Mandava.

CAPS United have only lost once at Mandava against the champions after they crashed to a 1-2 defeat in 2014.

Last year, the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw. “As a coach you are not a statistician, but a coach. We want to score and at some point we will score, we know what’s lying ahead of us,” said Chitembwe.

The Harare giants have since parted ways with midfielder Oscar Machapa, goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya and truant midfielder Denver Mukamba.

Fixtures

Saturday: Harare City v Chapungu (Rufaro, 3pm, ZTV), Bulawayo Chiefs v Bulawayo City (Luveve), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava), Black Rhinos v Yadah (National Sports Stadium), Nichrut v Shabanie (Ascot).

Sunday: Dynamos v Ngezi Platinum (Rufaro, 3pm, ZTV), Herentals v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium), Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo), Mutare City Rovers v Chicken Inn (Vengere).

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Mucherahowa Reflects On 50 Not Out

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Former Dynamos captain Memory Mucherahowa has lamented the poor living standards of most former footballers in Zimbabwe.

Mucherahowa, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, said his heart bleeds at the plight of former players and is planning to set up a Foundation to assist them.

Another Zimbabwean football legend Japhet M’parutsa, who is also based in England, has already set up his Foundation which has been donating kits to various schools and institutions back home in Zimbabwe.

The Japhet “Shortcat” M’parutsa Foundation is being run in Zimbabwe by the goalkeeper’s cousin Clifford.

And Mucherahowa has indicated that he would like to follow M’parutsa’s footsteps.

“I am grateful to the Lord who has protected me over the years. I managed to play and captain Dynamos FC – the biggest team in Zimbabwe – and won a lot of medals with the team,” said Mucherahowa , who turned 50 on June 19.

“However, the best medal that I have received from the Lord is life. Many of my friends are no longer with us while some are in poor health. As I reflect on my reaching 50 years of age, I just think of those ex-footballers who have been less fortunate than me. I am fortunate to be in a country like England and can afford basic life.

“Some of them passed on young while those that are still alive are living in (abject) poverty. Politicians always remember their war veterans the world over, why can’t the Zimbabwean football community remember and respect their football heroes?”

Mucherahowa, who currently chairs the Zimbabwe Former Footballers and Friends UK, said former stars needed help.

“My dream is to see a fledging Foundation to cater for the welfare of former footballers in Zimbabwe. I am reluctant to name it after myself. Maybe we can name it in honour of any of our heroes like George Shaya, Peter Ndlovu, Moses Chunga or the late duo of Francis Shonhai and Watson Muhoni in consultations with their families.”

He also urged current players to fight for their rights.

“What Desmond Maringwa is doing with the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe is very commendable. Young players should be educated on the importance of being part of a union.

“We did not have them during our time. There was no one to offer us any advice. Moreover, there were no contracts during our time. I never received a signing-on fee all the years that I played for Dynamos. We only knew that if we win, you get your cash and if the team loses, there was nothing. It was only during the days of Lincoln Mutasa that those who were not in full-time employment elsewhere got what we called ‘Unemployment Benefits 40’ to enable them to come for training sessions.

“People have this misconception that footballers of our generation earned a lot of money. This notion hurts.”

Mucherahowa also added that footballers should be included in the leadership structures of Zimbabwean football.

“We have been in football for a long time so we should be in the leadership structures. People like Peter Ndlovu supported by younger former players, who have gone to football schools, will do wonders. There are a lot of former players who are educated and doing well in football such as Chamunoda Musanhu and his younger brother Walter, Innocent Mugabe and George Mbwando just to name but a few,” he said.

Mucherahowa added that he is happy with the unity of purpose being shown by former players at home in Zimbabwe and abroad.

“I am glad here we are beginning to work together in support of those of us who are less fortunate. In the United Kingdom we have the Zimbabwe Former Footballers & Friends UK. Former players based in the United Kingdom have been excellent.

“I was hurt when the ex-footballers in Zimbabwe played against World Legends in an exhibition match. No-one thought of those ex-footballers who could not make it because of illnesses.

“The Zimbabwe legends should have politely asked for a certain amount of money to cater for our colleagues. This was our opportunity because without us, that match would not have been played,” he said.

Mucherahowa, who penned his biography Soul of Seven Million Dreams, also urged players to tell their own stories in the form of autobiographies.

“We have a lot of stories that will certainly inspire the younger generation. I challenge ex-players to write their own books as did Japhet M’parutsa.

He also called upon the administrators of the game to respect former footballers at the stadiums. “It is sad to hear that people like Sunday Chidzambwa and Henry Chari are being denied entry to watch a football match by a tout. Chidzambwa walks with a limp today because of an injury sustained while playing football (for Dynamos).

“Today he should pay to watch a match? This is not fair at all. A mechanism should be in place to see former players watching matches for free. Just look at how FIFA treated legends at the just-ended World Cup.” he said.

The post Mucherahowa Reflects On 50 Not Out appeared first on Zimbabwe Today.

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